Should duels be legal?

[politicus]

One of my most controversial political ideas is that I believe its a shame duels are illegal. It was a proud tradition with strong historical roots, which could have been democratized and spread to incorporate women and working class males. Legalizing duels under supervision of police officers  would reduce crime, help settle scores and matters of honour, rivalry etc. without having to use street fights, gang violence etc. Young people generally lack a sense of fighting in an honourable way - man to man without getting help from friends and without hurting an already defeated opponent.
Obviously there should be some control with people not being forced to duel, but this could be managed if the procedure was properly organized. 

[Antonio the Sixth]

I hope you are joking.

[Oak Hills]

It is inherently dishonorable to commit violence regardless of the circumstances, so no.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

If you want to duel a person, duel them. But if you win, be prepared to go to prison for manslaughter/murder .

[Franzl]

Obviously there should be some control with people not being forced to duel, but this could be managed if the procedure was properly organized. 

Easier said than done. In a society where duels were common practice, would it really be fair to say it's entirely voluntary to participate, even if not doing so makes one appear as...say...a coward?

I think you'd have a lot of people dueling that don't really want to duel.

Apart from the moral problems I have with society condoning such a practice.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

It is inherently dishonorable to commit violence regardless of the circumstances, so no.

This.

[RI]

No. Murder should never be legal.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Obviously there should be some control with people not being forced to duel, but this could be managed if the procedure was properly organized. 

Easier said than done. In a society where duels were common practice, would it really be fair to say it's entirely voluntary to participate, even if not doing so makes one appear as...say...a coward?

I think you'd have a lot of people dueling that don't really want to duel.

Apart from the moral problems I have with society condoning such a practice.

Right. Like for example let's say someone owes a massive debt to a loan shark and the loan shark tries to force them to challenge an enemy of his to a duel. No way to completely block that sort of thing.

[RogueBeaver]

Uh... NO.

[TNF]

Uh... NO.

[Rob Bloom]

No, they should not.

It was a proud tradition with strong historical roots, which could have been democratized and spread to incorporate women and working class males. Legalizing duels under supervision of police officers  would reduce crime, help settle scores and matters of honour, rivalry etc.

Sorry, but this makes me sick. There are other ways of settling problems and disagreements than violence. And no matter how you "supervise" and "democratize" it - a duel is an act of lethal violence. I wouldn't want to live in a society that settles "rivalry" by killing or even hurting each other! Haven't we overcome this frame of mind?

Not that I'm surprised, though, watching the gun control debate in the U.S., with people who claim the right to own tanks.

Still hope this thread was intended as a joke.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Hell yeah!

[DC Al Fine]

No, they should not.

It was a proud tradition with strong historical roots, which could have been democratized and spread to incorporate women and working class males. Legalizing duels under supervision of police officers  would reduce crime, help settle scores and matters of honour, rivalry etc.

Sorry, but this makes me sick. There are other ways of settling problems and disagreements than violence. And no matter how you "supervise" and "democratize" it - a duel is an act of lethal violence. I wouldn't want to live in a society that settles "rivalry" by killing or even hurting each other! Haven't we overcome this frame of mind?

Not that I'm surprised, though, watching the gun control debate in the U.S., with people who claim the right to own tanks.

Still hope this thread was intended as a joke.

Pessimism is usually the best option when it comes to human nature.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I still can't get myself to realize the OP is serious.

[opebo]

Pessimism is usually the best option when it comes to human nature.

I feel strange, agreeing with you so wholeheartedly, DCalfine.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Absolutely

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Absolutely

We have now found the one issue besides Zionism benconstine is not a Moderate Hero on.

[rejectamenta]

No, but I'm sure the Owners would have a grand old time upgrading their current pastimes from golf and whatnot to literally hunting the poor.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

"Tradition" doesn't necessarily equal "right".

[Grumpier Than Thou]

"Tradition" doesn't necessarily equal "right".

See: "Traditional" marriage

[DC Al Fine]

Pessimism is usually the best option when it comes to human nature.

I feel strange, agreeing with you so wholeheartedly, DCalfine.

Welcome to the reactionary right

[Old Man Svensson]

Strictly speaking, no, but when one considers how mindblowingly insane or stupid someone would have to be to demand a duel to the death, you have to wonder if legalizing duels wouldn't raise the average intelligence of the human gene pool.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Strictly speaking, no, but when one considers how mindblowingly insane or stupid someone would have to be to demand a duel to the death, you have to wonder if legalizing duels wouldn't raise the average intelligence of the human gene pool.

Ahem...

[Old Man Svensson]

Strictly speaking, no, but when one considers how mindblowingly insane or stupid someone would have to be to demand a duel to the death, you have to wonder if legalizing duels wouldn't raise the average intelligence of the human gene pool.

Ahem...

I was being a cynical smartass.