rounser said:
I think how alignment impacts morality in a given world can be boiled down to a simple litmus test:
If a paladin detects a random NPC as evil, is it moral for him to attack and kill the evil NPC on the spot because of his alignment alone?
In some worlds (and with some DMs) I'm sure the answer is yes, and in others no.
Hmmm, my answer would be, "It depends on the situation." Which, in a way, would make your point. But from another angle, it wouldn’t. Say you walk into a town. Your Pal (who detects evil on EVERYTHING) picks out some lady walking down the street carrying her basket of goods. She's evil. Why? He doesn't know so neither do you. But she is evil. There seems to be no one else in the village. Can he rush in and Smite her right there?
What about if she's in front of the whole town?
Now change the situation. Same lady is walking down the road between towns, carrying a bag on her back. You don't know what's in the bag, just that it's there. He detects, she's evil. Again, we don't know why she's evil. But she is. Can he cut her down then?
Another situation change. You're in the underdark. A woman who looks as if she should be in a village stumbles down the tunnel towards you. Her clothes are ragid; she looks as if she's half starved. Before she says a word, he detects, and she's evil. No reason why she's evil. She just is. Smite her?
Slight change this time. Underdark. She walks down the hall dressed in a gown of silk. She appears regal; the dignity of a queen. He detects, she's evil. We don't know why. Kill her right off?
Another question.
Do you let someone hang when you know he's innocent of the crime but is also evil?
What about when it's a human child; a small boy?
Don't think it's so far feched. It was done in midevil Europe. And that's what we seem to want to base DnD on.
What about if I describe him? Sandy brown hair (in a bowl cut, layered), clean round face, bright blue eyes, and comes only to your chest.
What if I get more personal? His name is Stu. He's 9 years old, just beginning to get reading down, and always has a hopeful expression on his face. He laughs often and enjoys telling jokes, always seeking to bring a smile to another's face.
Regardless, he's evil. The spell said so. Do you smite him right there? Do you let him hang? Do you watch as he drops? Do you join in with the cries of the crowd watching with you; those calling for bloodshed? After all, Stu is evil. After all, the spell said so. It's a moral victory.
