Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ucla-cs.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!qantel!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwrba!cepu!ucla-cs!mccolm From: mccolm@ucla-cs.UUCP Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: Re RAPE, etc.../ "understanding" horrible behavior and people Message-ID: <6443@ucla-cs.ARPA> Date: Sat, 27-Jul-85 22:09:12 EDT Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.6443 Posted: Sat Jul 27 22:09:12 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 2-Aug-85 06:37:52 EDT References: <739@udenva.UUCP> <540@hou2g.UUCP> <3014@hplabsb.UUCP> Reply-To: mccolm@ucla-cs.UUCP (Eric McColm) Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department Lines: 60 Summary: In article <3014@hplabsb.UUCP> pc@hplabsb.UUCP writes: >So, please guys-- show some respect!!! It makes me ill to see so many >men try to defend those who deliberately harm others. I cannot for the >life of me understand putting down obviously hurt women by defending, >excusing, or even "understanding" the actions of assailants. It is a >collosal insult. > > Patricia Collins > {ucbvax|duke|hao|allegra}!hplabs!pc The following will probably not be too popular. If you wish to comment on my opinions on women and rape, I have provided ample information that clearly shows my opinion. However, this is not the topic I will address. Previous posters, including myself, have offered suggestions on the motivations and politics of rape, among other things. Among these suggestions have been statements about the likely behavior of rapists, sometimes expressed in the point of view of the rapist, for greater clarity. These comments are meant to show likely behavior, and the reasoning that leads to this behavior, and does not pass judgement on the behavior itself. It has been said that this constitutes "defending", "excusing", "forgiving", or various other terms equating with vindication or pardon. It is nothing of the sort. Showing how an action comes to pass does not make the action moral, right, or proper. The previous poster did not say that the crime of rape was excused by the dress of the victim, nor was this implied. This thought was added by the reader, who followed with an attack on all postings attempting a description of the motivations of a rapist. The "apologist" merely tried to follow a train of thought, as an unemotional observer, that is ascribed to rapists, to understand the motivations, whatever they are. This does not imply agreement with the train of thought, or any assessment of validity of any kind. It is also not a statement about the morality (or lack of it) of rape. There is no insult in this. No judgement is passed on either culprit or victim. The hideousness of rape is not changed. No apology for the crime is offered. No vindication is presented. What is morally wrong is still morally wrong, even when explained. But the explanation may be useful in preventing rapes in the future. To coin a word: "rapism", the disorder that both allows and compels certain men to rape. Very little is known about it. It is possible the rapist has a view of the world that is very different from that of others. Understanding this world view could provide the basis for eliminating rape, at last and forever. From Beyond the Known Universe... --fini-- Eric McColm UCLA (oo' - kluh) Funny Farm for the Criminally Harmless UUCP: ...!{ihnp4,trwspp,cepu,ucbvax,sdcrdcf}!ucla-cs!mccolm ARPA: (evolved) mccolm@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU (pre-cambrian) mccolm@UCLA-CS.ARPA Quotes on the Nature of Existence: "To be, or not to be..." -Hamlet (Wm. Shakespeare) "I think, therefore I am." -R. Descartes "" -Gleep (Robt. Asprin)