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These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals. It’s…

“These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals. It’s no excuse that what they did was legal at the time: their crimes are retroactive. They have committed atrocities and must be made into examples, for the rest. Though this is hardly needed. No woman in her right mind, these days, would seek…” quote by Margaret Atwood
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““These men, we’ve been told, are like war criminals. It’s no excuse that what they did was legal at the time: their crimes are retroactive. They have committed atrocities and must be made into examples, for the rest. Though this is hardly needed. No woman in her right mind, these days, would seek to prevent a birth, should she be so lucky as to conceive. What””

Margaret Atwood

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Legal actions can be immoral; accountability must transcend legality.

In simple terms: Laws may be unjust; we must punish wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Hold perpetrators accountable regardless of law.

Themes

justice morality accountability

Mood

critical serious

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • legal reform
  • human rights advocacy
  • historical reckoning

Key Concepts

ethical relativism retroactive justice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we balance legal frameworks with moral imperatives?
  • When should societies punish past legal actions?
A Different Perspective

Legal systems often lag behind moral consensus.

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