In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the role of our nation’s leadership, Robin Hood’s Merry Men. We determined that we have allowed time to turn our politicial establishment into to one vast band of do-good robbers. In Part 2, we will consider a question.
What Is The Moral Logic That Justifies Robin Hood Government?
Empathy powerfully motivates us.
empathy n : understanding and entering into another's feelings
When we understand another’s feelings, we see some aspect of what that person sees from their point-of-view. When we enter into another’s feelings, their needs become our own. If their needs are urgent and demanding, then we may become demanding on their behalf. Then we may allow our feelings to overcome whatever good sense we might have. In such a state, without considering the foolishness of the claim, we may affirm the justice of this statement.
When someone is starving, we may say: “They need to be fed. Does it matter where the food comes from?” And that may become our excuse to rob from the “rich” and give to the poor. If the end justifies the means, then what matters is getting the result we want.
Because the “logic” of Robin Hood government is actually based upon empathy, there is little logic to it. Empathy does not involve a logical understanding. Empathy stresses how we feel. Do we feel what the other feels? If we feel what the other feels, and what the other feels is horrible, then we have the “right” to do whatever is required to remove that horrible feeling. That is, we use our empathy as an excuse to justify the means.
In the next post, we will consider the problems posed by Robin Hood government.