Q&A: Are There Arguments in Which There Is No Right and Wrong?
Are There Arguments in Which There Is No Right and Wrong?
Question
For example, the debate between socialism and capitalism seemingly looks like a debate between the value of equality and the value of individual liberty. Can one say that because this is a debate about values, there is no right and wrong, and rather everyone is right? And maybe this is actually what postmodernism is trying to claim—that in arguments like these there is no right and wrong?
Answer
Of course there is right and wrong even in value questions. The decision is not reached by scientific tools—so what?
In principle, it is possible that there could be a question with two equally balanced answers. Maybe like a clash between one positive commandment and another in Jewish law (although one could discuss the general rule that passive omission is preferable). Or an abandoned infant found in a place that is half Jews and half gentiles, with regard to Torah study or Sabbath observance (which a Jew is obligated in and a gentile is forbidden from).
Discussion on Answer
I do not understand these sentences. I wrote what I had to write, and I think it was clear.
Do you agree with the claim that values are basically a doctrine—a whole set of opinions, facts, and ideas?
That if we break them down one by one, we will discover that it is really argument upon argument.
So that to claim that socialism and capitalism are right would mean: in some of the arguments (found within the doctrine), yes, and in some, no—each accordingly.
The conclusion would be that it is very reasonable that, when we examine the arguments / assumptions / facts, we may find that one of them contains more justice. And therefore it is the position worthy of implementation?