A thought experiment

[xoder]

Can you think of any cause that is (in your not-so-humble opinion) morally or logically right and is not an underdog?

Comments

[faboo.livejournal.com]

orange juice

[catmandux.livejournal.com]

Pushing people to get a flu shot?

[faboo.livejournal.com]

I'm under the distinct belief that this is not generally justifiable.

certainly, the flu can be devastating to someone with a compromised or not-so-functional immune system (like the elderly, says the TeeVee), but for most people it just means getting rather sick. in fact, I think that for most people, getting a flu shot is a convenience like 24-hour drug stores: they aren't necessary, but they let you use each hour of your day effectively and efficiently.

it's good to get sick occasionally; it builds character. the flu isn't a serious condition unless you've already got one, so we ought to just grow up and deal with it.

[charleniehead.livejournal.com]

No, because if it's not the underdog, then the fight has already been fought and we take it for granted. Most people will percieve their causes as the underdog (whether this is true in the grand scheme or not), or else they wouldn't fight for them.

[hephaestos.livejournal.com]

A very good point; however I think that nowadays a lot of things that used to be taken for granted have now been relegated underdog status. And I think part of the reason for that is that not a whole lot of people seem enthusiastic about fighting for these causes.

[charleniehead.livejournal.com]

Well I guess it depends on how one defines underdog status. Lots of people fight to keep abortions legal in the U.S., but since it is counter to our current administration, it seems like an underdog vs. the alternative. In my interpretation of your definition, my right to vote is an underdog cause because it has already been established and is not being challenged.

[hephaestos.livejournal.com]

One might conjecture that there's a difference between a right to go to the polling place and a right to vote.

[faboo.livejournal.com]

particularly if you live in a state that happens not to be New Hampshire, Florida, or California.

[nightstalker.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that most people think that their cause is the underdog. See, for example, Democrats and Republicans; Israelis and Palestinians; relgious fundamentalists and the rest of the world; etc.

[xoder.livejournal.com]

But there have been studies that the people who are pushed to get flu shots are the wrong people. That children should get the flu shots instead, so that the elderly benefit from the group immunity among the best communicators of the flu.

[xoder.livejournal.com]

That's not entirely true. There have been influenza epidemics in the past that have killed thousands. We just haven't had any lately.

Then the question is: is it the flu shots, or just a general higher standard of living that has kept us relatively safe?