That Alignment Question Again

[Azure Trance]

I recall a thread in which a poster asked if a paladin within a slave owning society (where halflings were the slaves) was an acceptable thing. Unfortunately I don't recall the outcome of that thread, but I suppose the question is if good alignments can have discriminatory views (sex, race, religion).

Since I imagine this topic has been discussed in length before, what were the condensed answers? (ie, the answer to "Is it bad to kill a defenseless kobold?" depends on whether kobolds are a natural, unrepentable evil or if their evil is learned).

 

[EricNoah]

Maybe try here?

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20328&highlight=paladin+slavery+alignment

 

[I'm A Banana]

Haha...if you're looking for condenced answeres on alignment questions....eep. It's nearly a pipe dream.

My take: Paladins can "keep slaves"

My reasoning: (a) Slavery is not by nessecity evil. Servitude is not evil, and as long as the servant is kept happy, healthy, etc. Even if the slave has no option for escape, as long as they're not mistreated, it's not an evil act to keep a servant.
(b) If the slavery is only practiced against a certain culture or creature, the reasons behind it must be explored. Certainly, a paladin should not be a fan of war for the purpose of enslaving a sentient people, even "for their own good," as it is fairly obviously a greedy act. The "slavery" should probably not be a form of cultural dominance or assimiliation, or it causes those enslaved to suffer, and thus is not 'good.' In fact, because it purposely seeks to inflict pain on others for your own pleasure, it's evil.
(c) Paladins can have rather bigoted views and still be Lawful Good. Lawful demands that the world is ordered -- and this may include something of a caste. The stipulation that Good provides is that those of a lower caste are not sub-humans worthy of only disdain and mistreatment. Even things of a lower class, a 'lesser race,' or a 'savage people' are worthy of mercy, kindness, and compassion, even if it is condescending.

So good alignments can discriminate, view themselves as "better" (elves do it all the time...), with the stipulation that they still can't mistreat those they are better than -- to do so is evil. It's like a king, obviously better than a peasant. The Good King supports and helps the peasant with his abilities, and protects the peasant in times of trouble. Likewise, the Good Bigot, obviously better than the Inferiors, must help, aid, and nurture the Inferiors, and, while they may be inferior, they are no less worthy of kindness.

I would say the take on the kobold is the same way I'd view it. As they are in the MM (not immutably evil, just generally tending that way), it would be evil to kill a defenseless kobold (and either way, it's not Honorable to kill a defenseless anything).

 

[Azure Trance]

Bink!