Dave, we've beat this dead horse long enough so I will retire from the field of battle. My parting observation is that if you want to truly understand the demise of slavery in the Western world in the 19th century, consider that its abandonment in the "civilized world" was really grounded in the fact that it had no viability in non-agricultural economies. Moral considerations were important, but not one single western country eliminated slavery until it had become an incidental factor in the economy and the labor force.
It would be fun to revisit our views about historical judgement/interpretation on the subject of witchcraft in 17th century New England. I won't go further than saying that it was real, illegal and a capital crime. That conversation, however, would go way off topic for this board.
Jim, you've captured the exact conundrum I hoped to raise. For me it is a classic example of judgement by hindsight in historical interpretation.
I have expended all the energy on this subject that I intend to, so thanks for the enjoyable intellectual exercise.
Whew!
Mike
It would be fun to revisit our views about historical judgement/interpretation on the subject of witchcraft in 17th century New England. I won't go further than saying that it was real, illegal and a capital crime. That conversation, however, would go way off topic for this board.
Jim, you've captured the exact conundrum I hoped to raise. For me it is a classic example of judgement by hindsight in historical interpretation.
I have expended all the energy on this subject that I intend to, so thanks for the enjoyable intellectual exercise.
Whew!
Mike