this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2025
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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ah yes, Chesterton’s Balcony

[–] assa123 3 points 22 hours ago

I wish this comment had more upvotes.

In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.

However it is a one sided approach. Sometimes there must also be an answer to "If you don't see the use of keeping it, I won't let you", e.g. radical mastectomy, conservatism.