Mass_Driver comments on Something's Wrong - Less Wrong

82 [deleted] 05 September 2010 06:08PM

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Comment author: Emile 05 September 2010 09:39:53PM 3 points [-]

The second thing I want to say is that the state of slavery in the 1850's was also a delicately balanced compromise, and disturbing it did have disastrous results. I'm not saying this to discredit your argument with a smear.

Heh, I was actually considering that exact example while writing my post, but considered it was already getting too long - so I don't see that as a smear :)

I'm not aiming for a Fully General Counterargument against disturbing the status quo, just presenting some more refined reasons moderates could have for supporting it. And slavery in the 19th century is a good example of a case where (as you say) those arguments did hold, but things were still worth changing.