Originally posted by priapus at 26-6-2015 18:05
...you observed that the graphic above seemed commonplace in HK ...
No I didn't!!! Read it again 
I wrote that I see it often in the mirror at Villa Victoria (VV).
I thought it would be obvious that the only time I see it is when I am there, with a partner ... was that too subtle ..?
The rest of our exchange is much more serious and worthwhile!
Originally posted by priapus at 26-6-2015 18:05
You argue that prosecuting social vices is impractical as it creates the same social scourges that afflicted America during the Prohibition Era. Proponents for the legalization of marijuana make similar arguments. These arguments are not without merit, but they don't refute that social vices do produce negative externalities.
You are correct, and I never said anything about social vices not producing negative consequences.
The point I made is that an intervention that makes the situation worse cannot be defended as a good thing. Specifically if a law banning prostitution results in more violence perpetrated against women, it's a bad law and cannot be considered 'enlightened'.
Originally posted by priapus at 26-6-2015 18:05
Whether the negatives of enforcement outweigh the positives was not the point I was originally trying to make, and would require a far more quantitative treatment.
I fully agree that a more quantitative evaluation of existing laws and remedies is a smart - and enlightened - thing to do. The review of drug prohibition is very important in the light of the excellent results achieved recently by Portugal. I hope other preconceived ideas about how society can achieve more positive outcomes and fewer negative outcomes will be scrutinised in the bright light of new evidence.
Originally posted by priapus at 26-6-2015 18:05
I don't think my accounting of enlightened societies and practicality was understood.
I didn't misunderstand your accounting of enlightened practices.
Thank you for providing additional clarification, I still don't misunderstand.
The reality is I disagreed with your definition of enlightenment and of enlightened practices - and I still do.
If stopping everyone taking water on a plane reduces the chance that one of them will blow it up, that is indeed an enlightened practice. It is an intervention that has the desired result.
If - and this is a good example - decriminalising drugs results in fewer drug overdoses, and reduced robbery and violence, and reduced social spending (on enforcement and healthcare) that is an enlightened thing to do. In a similar vein, if imposing a fine on overdue books results in people being socially responsible and returning books they borrowed, that is also an enlightened thing to do.
I hope that laws controlling prostitution can be evaluated by the same standard, of whether they achieve the goal of supporting women to live the life they choose to live in safety and comfort. |
