What is Wrong with Being Practical and Functional


A professor of functionalism wonders why it is so maligned. Idealists get the headlines and some success in politics. Yet, after idealistic notions stumble it's back to being practical. 

Let's start with gay marriage. Homosexuality happens but we don't really know why. Some people are born the something different or unexpected. In either case, the practical approach is to accept, provide the public rights and services and carry on. Why decide something else on the basis of ancient religious belief. An easy solution called acceptance is at hand.

Idealistic anti-abortion people insist they can use laws to stop abortions. Such laws would be "right" and they know for certain abortion is wrong. There are two ways a practical and functional idea would help. First, those who "know" what is right in an absolute sense and what is wrong see the issue exactly the opposite way. No matter which side "knows" it is right will not convince the other. "Right" is unresolvable. So, it would be practical to drop the notions of "right." 

Second, though there are several countries that have outlawed abortion not one has succeeded in eliminating it. May I repeat, not one. A practical and functional approach would be to admit anti abortion laws across the U.S. will not eliminate abortion. There always have been, and presumably always will be, thousands of abortions. Why not accept this and go forward with efforts aimed at reducing abortions through persuasion instead of law? This would be practical. Financial support for women may well eliminate many abortions done because of money problems. Functionalism can be the friend of anti abortion.

The functional is especially in drug and alcohol treatment. There is an idealism born of culture and religion that a drug user must be "clean." This has led to treatment programs full of idealism but short on success. There are some drugs, heroin is one I am told, that is not especially harmful and can be used in moderation for a long period of time without bad outcomes.  It is common for users to tire of the drug eventually and stop using it. Drugs such as this need to be used under supervision. Functionality suggests we abandon "clean" and go with an approach that appeals to those who want help and eliminates the ideology of an earlier time. 


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