Reply #34: The difference between murder and homicide is old, indeed. [View All]

[Callisto32]

My understanding is that even the old, over=simple translation that the 10 commandments say "thou shalt not kill" is actually better translated as "thou shalt not commit murder." That our earthly languages differentiate is also a good indicator.

These kinds of differentiations are part of what has led me to settle on the harm principle. If we all (more or less) agree that the problem lies not with the use of force, but with the initiation of force, then force should, for the most part, cease. As an added bonus, the view allows people to defend themselves from aggression with a similar level of force as used against them.

It all seems to make so much sense, and yet some reject the idea. Strange, no?

Edit: A sentence made no sense as it stood. Fixed