tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138624.post701083202805829226..comments2023-03-17T14:45:50.282+00:00Comments on Exploring the Purpose of Things: Twists of Fate 2Richard Veryardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04499123397533975655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138624.post-26914792279477642182010-07-15T18:41:01.844+01:002010-07-15T18:41:01.844+01:00Ahhh yes. Proximal cause and liability. In an inci...Ahhh yes. Proximal cause and liability. In an incident in Saudi Arabia many years ago, a traffic accident was my fault because I had hired the cab and was a passenger in it when the accident occurred. I attempted to blame the immediately previous passenger, because if he (I assume he)had not hired that cab and got out where he did, then I would not have.... Y'all get the picture. <br />When casting about for someone to blame, we appear to want to make things, "Someone else's fault." The notion that if something bad happens there is always someone to blame. And then of course there is the complete lack of distinction between vengeance ("I want the SOB punished.") and justice, ("I want to find out which SOB was responsible and apply societal normal remedies"). It's the difference between a trial and a witch hunt. <br />Never let the facts get in the way of a good hanging or other spectacle. <br />Some emotional and intellectual honesty would go a long way to getting to cause/effect, and the proper administration of justice.Chris Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13436436994311245922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138624.post-27686928966129606412010-07-15T16:19:09.129+01:002010-07-15T16:19:09.129+01:00I think this is about contributory factors compare...I think this is about contributory factors compared with causes.<br /><br />"Tragedy" is well used here, I agree, and the traffic disruption is a contributory factor, not a cause.<br /><br />"What caused the crash" and, as you say, "what caused the drowning"? Not "What caused her to be on that section of the road?" <br /><br />RoyRoy Grubbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05588741490868787785noreply@blogger.com