I'm Curious. What Do You Think?

[Rick]

Justifying an action kinda presupposes an action has been taken.

One doesn't have to justify an action that has not been taken.

Mostly they pat themselves on the back and say "what a good boy I am"...

[Andrew D]

But one does have to prove that it would have been taken. Even if it hasn't.

[dales]

One can deny it if one wishes but the human animal justifies every action it takes.

It's the nature of the beast...

I am NOT an animal, I am a FREE man!

[Rick]

But one does have to prove that it would have been taken. Even if it hasn't.

True

However you have pointed out that safe guards are in place in the event that certain actions do take place (at least in the legal system). Are not these safe guards put in place by the very same folks that would be their abusers?

Granted, could happen doesn't mean did happen, so why the rules? Is that not proof in and of itself, at least in the general sense?

As per the OP "subjective truth" and "frequency of it's abuse" is in the eye of the beholder.

You stated that one acquaintance would "never", in his eyes once would be impermissible...

[Rick]

One can deny it if one wishes but the human animal justifies every action it takes.

It's the nature of the beast...

I am NOT an animal, I am a FREE man!

FREE range...

[rubato]

Once again, I would recommend reading "Mistakes were made but not by me" Elliot Aronson or his text book "The Social Animal".

As well as the book I referenced above.

There has been a lot of very interesting social psychology research in this area.

yrs,
rubato

[Rick]

http://www.michaelshermer.com/the-believing-brain/

we are also more capable than any other species of self-deception and illusion

[rubato]

One can deny it if one wishes but the human animal justifies every action it takes.

It's the nature of the beast...

I am NOT an animal, I am a FREE man!

Partially true. Possibly.

I think it is one of the tasks of human existence to free ourselves and to maintain our freedom to the degree we can. But I don't believe anyone achieves this except in degree. Freedom exists only in service of something else, not the abstract, and it is yet another task to determine what that is.

Ultimate freedom is the ability to choose how we will be bound. There is no choice in the real world not to be bound.

yrs,
rubato

[rubato]

http://www.michaelshermer.com/the-believing-brain/

we are also more capable than any other species of self-deception and illusion

How would we detect self-deception or illusion in another species?

yrs,
rubato

[loCAtek]

Blush response?


There are all kinds of cops; I've known police officers, security officers, private investigators, public safety(my mom worked for them) sheriffs, detectives, SWAT members, executive body guards, MP's (Marines are the worst!) and had to deal with one or two NCIS, or FBI. (None of them like Hollywierd suggests)

Yea, human is about right. I've known cops who are chronic speeders, swindlers, abusers and cheaters, etc. ...all while being fine law enforcement officials.

They're people after all.