Q&A: Between the Murder of Charlie Kirk and an Assaulted Prostitute
Between the Murder of Charlie Kirk and an Assaulted Prostitute
Question
You wrote in the column “Between Guilt and Responsibility,” and I quote:
If a woman is dressed in a blatantly provocative way and is assaulted or sexually harassed, she bears contributory blame for what happened to her. The claim that a woman has the right to walk around however she wants, even if it were correct (and in my opinion it isn’t), is relevant only to the question of guilt. But the question of responsibility still remains.
How would you relate this to the case of Charlie Kirk’s murder, when he was very blunt and extreme in his views and also made sure to put them on every possible platform, in relation to his responsibility for his own murder?
Do you compare that to a woman who is dressed provocatively and was attacked?
Because I know that on the other hand, you support absolute freedom of speech (you also talk about Holocaust denial and every kind of opinion that should be given a platform).
And assuming that in your view he does bear responsibility,
do you think that should be taken into account legally?
For example, to pardon the murderer from the death penalty he is expected to receive?
Answer
Absolutely not. Even in the case of a woman, this is not something that should be taken into account legally. Beyond that, urges are instinct, whereas hatred of someone who thinks differently from you is a choice. That is something you have to overcome. It is inconceivable that holding certain opinions or expressing them should be considered provocation. Especially Kirk, who as I understand it expressed his views gently and was marked by a great deal of attentiveness and courtesy even toward those who disagreed with him.
Discussion on Answer
Political hatred to the point of murder???
But even in your view he bears responsibility because of the judges’ urge for revenge and punishment 😊😊😊…
In today’s era, when social networks put our brains into a bubble, studies show how the brain and dopamine are all recruited in favor of the opinions that fit us, and how polarization and hatred intensify as a result, to the point of a survey showing that 50% of Americans would not marry off their child to someone from the other side (as opposed to 3% in older surveys) —
In terms of the drive and intensity, I think you can compare sexual urge to political hatred.
And both come as an urge that is almost against a person’s will.
On Kirk’s side, it’s important to emphasize that he is reasoned and gentle, but also a propagandist and a conspiracy theorist.