Why slavery is not always a bad thing

[Agent 008]

People seem to think that slavery is bad, and has always been bad.

Except in the ancient times, slavery allowed a class of people to get a lot of free time on their time that they could devote to science, art and other things that resulted in the civilisation moving forward.

Had slavery been abolished back then, no way would we be as technologically advanced as we are now.

[MR.Kitty55]

Originally Posted by Agent 008

People seem to think that slavery is bad, and has always been bad.

Except in the ancient times, slavery allowed a class of people to get a lot of free time on their time that they could devote to science, art and other things that resulted in the civilisation moving forward.

Had slavery been abolished back then, no way would we be as technologically advanced as we are now.

I've actually heard that because of slavery technological progression slowed down because when you have such a massive expendable labor force the need for technological advances (which make the job easier) goes out, since the masters aren't doing the job they obviously don't seem to care about improvement in labor.

But does the end really justify the means? We gained massive technological advances from World War II but does that mean World War II was a good thing? I don't really know.

[DerDrache]

The main problem with slavery is the dehumanizing nature of it. Some cultures made good use of indentured servantry (essentially an extension of a legit job), but that's as good as it gets. The racism present in recent forms of slavery also certainly made matters worse.

[ArmsMerchant]

It should be pointed out that slavery is alive and well right now. There are sex slaves, mostly eastern European women, in virutally every big city in the US, for instance.

Many of the agricultural workers in the US are essentially slaves.

In India, it is not unknown for parents to sell their children into slavery.

The main reason that Wal-mart has such low prices is that so many of their products are made by slave labor.

[SomeLowLife]

[danzig]

slavery is not inherently morally wrong. if a person has done nothing to deserve slavery, then it is wrong... mexican illegal immigrants would sort of be an example. they could be made more slaves then they are right now, but i think that would be trouble then it was worth, but i say it would not be WRONG to take illegals, and put them in work camps where they do labour in exchange for board. so long as young children were given a education, and freedom at 18, and they were not abused, then there would be no wrongdoing involved.

adopting african children, treating them well, giving them a education, and using them as slaves until they are 20 would not only be morally acceptable, but morally positive. it's the greatest opportunity they will ever have to not die of aids or be maciheted to death.

born slavery is wrong, but if a person committed a crime, or if they are prisoners of war / citizens of a conquered land, then there is nothing wrong with outright slavery, so long as they are treated properly.

[DerDrache]

Originally Posted by danzig

slavery is not inherently morally wrong. if a person has done nothing to deserve slavery, then it is wrong... mexican illegal immigrants would sort of be an example. they could be made more slaves then they are right now, but i think that would be trouble then it was worth, but i say it would not be WRONG to take illegals, and put them in work camps where they do labour in exchange for board. so long as young children were given a education, and freedom at 18, and they were not abused, then there would be no wrongdoing involved.

adopting african children, treating them well, giving them a education, and using them as slaves until they are 20 would not only be morally acceptable, but morally positive. it's the greatest opportunity they will ever have to not die of aids or be maciheted to death.

born slavery is wrong, but if a person committed a crime, or if they are prisoners of war / citizens of a conquered land, then there is nothing wrong with outright slavery, so long as they are treated properly.

Who are you to say what people can do to "deserve" slavery? A racist or sexist would say (and believe) that people deserve slavery because of their skin color or sex appeal.

[danzig]

Originally Posted by DerDrache

Who are you to say what people can do to "deserve" slavery? A racist or sexist would say (and believe) that people deserve slavery because of their skin color or sex appeal.

it already happens. how many blacks were executed and lynched for things they didn't do? how many more are in jail for things they didn't do? who am i to say people deserve jailtime or death? slavery is not different.

[DerDrache]

Originally Posted by danzig

it already happens. how many blacks were executed and lynched for things they didn't do? how many more are in jail for things they didn't do? who am i to say people deserve jailtime or death? slavery is not different.

You weren't talking about people being wrongfully punished, so please, stay on topic.

My point was that slavery is an intentional act of degrading another human being, just like prison and death sentences. While most people face prison and death sentences because they violated laws (often universal ones, like "don't kill", "don't steal"), the justifications for slavery are usually absurd. I'd agree that in some situations, such as being a war prisoner or owing a debt, it can be a reasonable "punishment", but...just in the context of history, there are way too many dumbasses out there that thought people "deserved it", just because of their parents, their ethnicity, their sex, etc.

Simply put, if someone actually does something that violates a law, then you can talk about people deserving punishment (including slavery). Otherwise, it leads to bullshit like "they deserve it because they're poor/black/Jewish/etc.!"

See what I'm saying?

[danzig]

Originally Posted by DerDrache

You weren't talking about people being wrongfully punished, so please, stay on topic.

My point was that slavery is an intentional act of degrading another human being, just like prison and death sentences. While most people face prison and death sentences because they violated laws (often universal ones, like "don't kill", "don't steal"), the justifications for slavery are usually absurd. I'd agree that in some situations, such as being a war prisoner or owing a debt, it can be a reasonable "punishment", but...just in the context of history, there are way too many dumbasses out there that thought people "deserved it", just because of their parents, their ethnicity, their sex, etc.

Simply put, if someone actually does something that violates a law, then you can talk about people deserving punishment (including slavery). Otherwise, it leads to bullshit like "they deserve it because they're poor/black/Jewish/etc.!"

See what I'm saying?

i SEE what you're saying. the problem here is i specifically stated that what you're saying shouldn't be done. i already said that slavery is only inherently wrong if one is born into to it or unjustly placed there. that issue has been concluded since we both agree on it.

are there any other issues you would like to discuss?