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Do we really think that the United States will have the protection of innocent Afghans in mind if it rains terror down on the Afghan infrastructure? We are supposedly fighting them because they immorally killed innocent civilians. That made them evil. If we do the same, are we any less immoral?
George Lakoff
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote questions the morality of causing harm to innocents while opposing those who do the same.

George Lakoff's quote challenges the ethical implications of using violence against innocent civilians in Afghanistan, highlighting the hypocrisy of retaliating against perceived evil while engaging in similar immoral acts. It provokes thought regarding the justification of actions taken in the name of justice and raises questions about the values held by nations that justify such actions.

Themes

MoralityViolenceInnocenceHypocrisyJustice

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a debate about military ethics.

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George LakoffRead
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