the mind is a terrible thing to use

the powers of the human mind are strange and wonderful. here's an example of what i mean.

i don't know when, but this insight came to me: people will tell you and others -- and especially themselves -- the most idealistic reasons to justify things like assault, murder, and other lesser though still immoral acts.

they also will tell you and others -- and especially themselves -- the most idealistc reasons to justify less harmful acts. for example,

take vegitarianism.

earlier this month, as i went through some old clips, i found a review in the january 22, 2007 issue of the new yorker on a book about the history of vegitarianism. the book said benjamin franklin, as a young man, became a vegetarian because of its healthful benefits and sensitivity to the suffering of animals. but he changed his mind after eating some cod when he was hungry during a sea voyage.

the review quoted franklin as saying:

so convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.

see what i mean?