Lenn Goodman Argues - Just Wrong

"Just Wrong"

Lenn Goodman argues that certain things are just wrong and I would have to agree. I agree that four of the things that we should look at as being wrong are "(1) genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare; (2) terrorism, hostage taking, and child warriors; (3) slavery, polygamy, and incest; and (4) rape and female genital cutting." (Goodman, Project Muse) All four of these things have good reasons for being wrong.

One thing that Goodman talks about is genocide, famine, and germ warfare, he stated that "All living things make claims to life." and "Murder is wrong because it destroys a human subject." This is a great example of why genocide should be universally wrong. No matter what the creature it is still a creature of God and never deserves to die. Goodman argues that warfare is not always wrong. I would have to agree with him about this. When going to war the reasons are to fight for your rights and country. It would be nice if people could just talk it out instead of resulting to war but when you have no other choice then it is for a good reason. If war is universally wrong, we may not have our freedom today and the same for a lot of other communities or countries. Of course wars could be avoided if people would actually use the four areas Goodman discusses are followed universally but since they are not war has a purpose. Genocide and famine happen because unfortunately people have hatred in their hearts and some people are scared. If everyone was taught growing up, no matter what the custom or tradition was, that genocide and political famine are wrong, then I think it will be easier to keep in line a community and country that loves and respects each other versus one that is forced to go to war, always fighting, killing, ect. If we can get the hatred out of the community and countries then there would be no wars.

Next Goodman discusses are terrorism, hostages and child warriors. These things could actually be avoided if welfare is taught to be universally wrong. The biggest example of terrorism was the attack of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. If the world knew how to communicate with each other and had accepting views on religion and different beliefs maybe this terroristic act would have been avoided. If all four of these beliefs again were taught then terrorism and war would decrease. If the world would believe that war and hatred was wrong, there would be no terrorism, hostages, or child warriors. All of these acts of terrorism and war all are related to having hatred for one another.

Goodman then argued how slavery, polygamy, and incest are all wrong. He stated, "Slavery is the deepest exploitation, overriding subject hood to make a person a tool for use" (Goodman, Project Muse). A slave has no rights or privileges. This to me is cruelty and immoral to treat a person like a tool. Not only do they