I feel like if you can control a dragon, you've got at least as many options as a candyblood with no powers (Sufferer) or a bronzeblood who talks to animals (Summoner).
But I also believe very, very strongly that "I was just following orders" is no excuse.
It might involve putting yourself in danger, yes, but that's a choice you make between cowardice and compassion.
It's the difference between every Stormtrooper who follows orders vs Finn and the other Stormtroopers. Disobedience might put you in danger. That's not a reason to refuse to follow what you believe is right.
I'll agree that the Neophyte is less of a villain in an outstanding way, and more of just everyday compliance with an evil regime, but it's .... 4AM and I have lost my words, but pretend there's an important speech here about moral responsibility and how you always have a choice not to follow orders and how even if you kill a person on someone else's orders, the blood is still on your hands.
(I am fine with Neophyte Redglare not passing, for the record! I just think it's really, really important that 'I was just following orders' is never again allowed to be a valid excuse.
For context, I grew up in Austria. We get this drilled into our heads hard which is probably why I am so passionate about it.)
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Re: Homestuck villains
Date: 2020-02-17 05:01 pm (UTC)But I also believe very, very strongly that "I was just following orders" is no excuse.
It might involve putting yourself in danger, yes, but that's a choice you make between cowardice and compassion.
It's the difference between every Stormtrooper who follows orders vs Finn and the other Stormtroopers. Disobedience might put you in danger. That's not a reason to refuse to follow what you believe is right.
I'll agree that the Neophyte is less of a villain in an outstanding way, and more of just everyday compliance with an evil regime, but it's .... 4AM and I have lost my words, but pretend there's an important speech here about moral responsibility and how you always have a choice not to follow orders and how even if you kill a person on someone else's orders, the blood is still on your hands.
(I am fine with Neophyte Redglare not passing, for the record! I just think it's really, really important that 'I was just following orders' is never again allowed to be a valid excuse.
For context, I grew up in Austria. We get this drilled into our heads hard which is probably why I am so passionate about it.)