Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by DWPC (A) on March 10, 2003 at 10:41:19

In Reply to: "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life posted by Bambi B on March 08, 2003 at 12:04:54:

Your view is exceptionally cynical and negative.

I think the weakness in your argument of the individual vs. "authority" is that it doesn't recognize the inability of the individual to raise meaningful resistance against subjegation by an organized force. When the broader community is seriously threatened, the individual has a responsiblity to help defend it and can't opt out without passing rather severe tests (which York didn't).

Passive or non-violent resistance is only effective when the opponents share some common moral foundation. Gandhi's non-violence was effective against the English but what if he'd opposed a Stalin?

You also seem to assume that authority is, in itself, sinister, even when it is acting on behalf of or representing the community; especially a democratic community based on respect for individual.

I think we must balance valid suspicion of authority with equally valid suspicion of the aims of the individual. Experience shows that both have a tendency to put self-interest first.