LOGIC IS ONE OF THE OLDEST SUPERSTITIONS The character responsible for the statement ‘Logic is one of the oldest superstitions’ in Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged , is a despicable human being. When I first read the book many years ago, I thought that this statement was probably the most ridiculous observation ever. Lately, I have my doubts.

Over the weekend, the Specialised Law Enforcement Services unit of the Cape Town police arrested more than 120 sex workers, and closed two brothels.
The sex workers are fined between R500 and R1500 and the fines issued do not constitute a criminal record.

The logic?

Police spokesperson Billy Jones said arresting sex workers formed part of their crime intelligence gathering.

Are the police taking their cue from New York Mayor Rudy Juliani, who decided that the best way to clean up the streets of New York was by targeting the small crimes?
He contended that by targeting the small crimes the bigger crimes would be eliminated, because all criminals start small, hence by getting rid of prostitutes we will get rid of the pimps, drug dealers and human traffickers?

I agree that prostitution is a target for drug dealers and human traffickers.
But would getting rid of the prostitutes really get rid of these criminals.

 

Drug dealers also target schools and nightclubs.
Robbers target clients making large deposits or withdrawals at banks and ATMs, and there has been a surge of armed robberies targeting malls in South Africa.

Surely this particular brand of logic dictates that police should start arresting all pupils at schools, customers at busy malls, clients at banks and partygoers at nightclubs.

Just think of all the crime that would be stamped out if they applied their logic to a broader spectrum.

I agree with the existentialist view ‘There can be no generalization concerning concepts of morality.’

Lately I am leaning towards the same principle where logic is concerned.

Kader Khan
Editor
info@yummie.co.za