The Watcher’s Council Forum question this week is about the legalization of prostitution. Both the question itself and the discussion are interesting. As is not unusual I’m the outlier. I’m unconditionally against legalizing prostitution on social, psychological, legal, and moral grounds.
If prostitution were an individual work choice, it might be more palpable, but it is often just human slavery. Nevada regulates it, but I would bet that the unregulated version exists, as well.
Years ago, @jan took the position that drugs should be illegal because of the ‘human costs’, and I took the libertarian side. Since that time, I believe that she has a valid point, but I am not sure how to incorporate it into the libertarian philosophy.
We do not allow people to work in dangerous work environments just because they are willing, and we do not allow people to purchase known harmful substances just because they want to get high.
Both pro/con positions have merit, but I am not sure how to reconcile the two.
“Both pro/con positions have merit, but I am not sure how to reconcile the two.”
Its the human condition. Hence blogsites exist.
We do not allow people to work in dangerous work environments just because they are willing, and we do not allow people to purchase known harmful substances just because they want to get high.
We allow people to marry, in spite of the likelihood of divorce, and we allow them to breed, regardless of their fitness as parents. What we do is deny them fundamental rights over their own bodies in cases of prostitution and abortion. Adultery, fornication and gay sex used to be illegal, but now they’re OK. The law is an ass.
I’m ambivalent. Regardless, I think it’s up to individual communities and states to decide.
It is already illegal, and has tons of problems. What is really happening now is that way too many women (girls) are being forced into prostitution. Too many are being harmed while working as they have no legal protections. I don’t really know if making it legal would make it any better, but hard to believe it would actually be worse.
That said, if we choose to keep it illegal, we shouldn’t ignore it which is what we do now (at least partially because it is illegal). Need to find ways to reach out to people suffering and help them without them having to fear being arrested.
Steve
@Jimbino
Marriage is regulated. You cannot marry a child or a close relative. Suicide is not legal in most places, and assisted-suicide is still regulated. Indentured servitude is illegal.
Perhaps, these should be legal, but today, they are not.
The problem with libertarianism is that humans are not individual animals. Humans are social animals, and like the wolf pack or lion pride, certain conduct is not allowed.
FYI: As animals, humans produce offspring, and all species either breed or die-off. Until humans transcend the animal state, breeding is required, and breeders are prefered. Therefore, human laws are designed to promote human breeding.
Homicide is illegal and there are still homicides.
Programmable sex robots cannot come soon enough.