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The philosophy, work & influences of Noam Chomsky

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Subject:
From:
Martin William Smith <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
The philosophy, work & influences of Noam Chomsky
Date:
Sun, 25 Jul 1999 08:17:06 +0200
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> Why don't people have the right to kill?

There is no right to kill.  Rights exist when beliefs are instantiated
in the laws of a state and enforced by that state.  Sovereign states
are able to kill, when it suits them, and get away with it (usually)
because they can, not because they have a right to kill.  That's just
the way it is.  Likewise, if there were no states, some individuals
would kill when it suited them, because they can, not because they
have a right to.  The absence of a state that prohibits murder doesn't
mean there exists a right to commit murder.

> Whose "moral" system are you referencing?

Pick one.  Murder is illegal just about everywhere on the planet.

martin

Martin Smith                    Email: [log in to unmask]
P.O. Box 1034 Bekkajordet       Tel. : +47 330 35700
N-3194 HORTEN, Norway           Fax. : +47 330 35701

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