Shikamaru easily navigates his phone, calling the case in. It shouldn't take too long for a police car to arrive and take the man into custody, but Shikamaru wants to take the moment and share his thoughts with this young woman. He finds her views incredibly problematic for a myriad of reasons — but the fact that she values life makes him inclined to believe that it's worth taking the time to explain why such a black and white view of justice would only cause more trouble.
Never mind trying to define 'bad' or 'good.' Shikamaru abandoned that scale a long time ago.
"Miss, I think if we're looking at affiliation and goals, we share many of them. I believe both of us are trying to look out for the best interests of the civilians here in Darrow, and because that should make us allies, I want to explain why I take issue with what you're saying right now," Shikamaru says, pulling both of his shoulders back politely.
The deference he would offer any peer.
"Three points without touching morality. First, denying the use of deadly force puts a burden on the innocent. Neither of us will live to see a world where no one instigates violence. Where no one takes that first unjust hit. There will always be someone who is self-serving enough to harm others, and that person won't hold back just because we say they should. So if you say good should never kill, and that you're not going to let them kill, that gives those violent people an advantage. I personally prefer to give more flexibility to the person responding to wrongdoing, rather than the person starting it.
"Second, not everyone can train to the proficiency you suggest. We are all born with different levels of physical ability. If I trained as much as you to build my physical power and reflex, and we sparred with that alone, you would defeat me. I'm not a strong guy. Children are not as strong as adults. On average, women are not as physically strong as men. More than that, some people don't have the time. The money. The resources. Those who are poor probably have the least spare time to find this training. The mother who has to work multiple jobs to provide for her children — would you deny her the right to protect herself with that deadly force? The police officer is more trained than a civilian, but it's a sliding scale. If we can train to be skilled, you must assume a criminal can also train to be just as talented.
"Third, death isn't the worst possible end for everyone. If you're forced between needing to kill someone or maim them for life, why is keeping them alive always better? If you say we shouldn't kill because it's cruel, some people think being maimed is greater torture."
In the far distance, Shikamaru can hear sirens sounding. He closes his eyes briefly, weary, but convicted in his beliefs. The criminal by his side has gone completely silent.
"It's fine if you don't want to kill. You probably almost never have to; I believe that. I believe I almost never have to kill, either. But deciding a rule for everyone doesn't feel ideal to me. Maa, if you can really protect every single person in this city from harm, I am all for it. I would submit to your regime immediately."
no subject
Never mind trying to define 'bad' or 'good.' Shikamaru abandoned that scale a long time ago.
"Miss, I think if we're looking at affiliation and goals, we share many of them. I believe both of us are trying to look out for the best interests of the civilians here in Darrow, and because that should make us allies, I want to explain why I take issue with what you're saying right now," Shikamaru says, pulling both of his shoulders back politely.
The deference he would offer any peer.
"Three points without touching morality. First, denying the use of deadly force puts a burden on the innocent. Neither of us will live to see a world where no one instigates violence. Where no one takes that first unjust hit. There will always be someone who is self-serving enough to harm others, and that person won't hold back just because we say they should. So if you say good should never kill, and that you're not going to let them kill, that gives those violent people an advantage. I personally prefer to give more flexibility to the person responding to wrongdoing, rather than the person starting it.
"Second, not everyone can train to the proficiency you suggest. We are all born with different levels of physical ability. If I trained as much as you to build my physical power and reflex, and we sparred with that alone, you would defeat me. I'm not a strong guy. Children are not as strong as adults. On average, women are not as physically strong as men. More than that, some people don't have the time. The money. The resources. Those who are poor probably have the least spare time to find this training. The mother who has to work multiple jobs to provide for her children — would you deny her the right to protect herself with that deadly force? The police officer is more trained than a civilian, but it's a sliding scale. If we can train to be skilled, you must assume a criminal can also train to be just as talented.
"Third, death isn't the worst possible end for everyone. If you're forced between needing to kill someone or maim them for life, why is keeping them alive always better? If you say we shouldn't kill because it's cruel, some people think being maimed is greater torture."
In the far distance, Shikamaru can hear sirens sounding. He closes his eyes briefly, weary, but convicted in his beliefs. The criminal by his side has gone completely silent.
"It's fine if you don't want to kill. You probably almost never have to; I believe that. I believe I almost never have to kill, either. But deciding a rule for everyone doesn't feel ideal to me. Maa, if you can really protect every single person in this city from harm, I am all for it. I would submit to your regime immediately."