Chit Chat Philosophy

2 Do all people deserve respect?

1 Everyone is due a modicum of respect.

2 Why is that?

1 Because we are all human.

2 Do you have respect for the powerful bear that can rip you to shreds and consume your body?

1 Well, yes. I would have respect for all creatures that are demonstrably better than me in some way.

2 This would seem to imply more than humans are deserving of respect, do you agree?

1 I suppose I would.

2 Do all animals deserve respect?

1 No. Only those which are better than me in some way.

2 So the animals which have demonstrated a kind of superiority have earned your respect?

1 That’s right.

2 But that is not the case with humans?

1 Humans – being the apex predator – are preordained with a basal superiority and that fact commands respect. It is the same respect we might have for the tiger and its expert hunting abilities.

2 Would you then say respect is directly correlated to the mastery – or ability to master – a particular skill?

1 I would.

2 Now suppose a thief has held you at gunpoint and stolen your wallet. Have they earned your respect?

1 I should think not. They have lost my respect for their dishonorable actions.

2 Have they not demonstrated a kind of mastery to the art of mugging?

1 It is an ill reputable art.

2 So honor is a component of respect then?

1 I would say so.

2 How can this be? It is at odds with your original claim that all humans are deserving respect.

1 Maybe all humans are deserving of respect until it is lost.

2 Who determines when respect is lost?

1 I believe each person decides for themselves who they will choose to respect.

2 If someone loses your respect, should they lose everyone’s respect?

1 The actions one takes are a record in the footnotes of history. Anyone who is privy to the actions that have transpired may use these facts in their own calculation for respect. To answer your question more specifically: no they should not lose everyone’s respect. That being said, all of their actions should be accounted for.

2 Interesting. So you are saying that actions are facts and these facts accumulate to form respect (or the lack thereof)?

1 That’s right.

2 And what about animals that are not superior in any way. Does the horse fly deserve respect?

1 That’s a tough one, but I believe I can say firmly that – no – the horse fly does not deserve respect.

2 Does it not demonstrate the unique and envious ability to fly?

1 It does.

2 So what makes you say the horse fly is not owed respect?

1 Maybe it has demonstrated a mastery of some variety, but not all creatures have. 

2 What is an example?

1 Let us take the worm as an example. It has no unique abilities whatsoever.

2 Does not the worm play a vital role in the ecosystem of our world?

1 I suppose it might be argued as such.

2 Can you find any creature which is inherently not owed a modicum of respect?

1 I suppose I cannot. I would revise my original statement then. All creatures are owed respect until it is lost.

(Featured image by John pulled from Wikimedia commons)