I don’t think it’s possible to decouple the arguments very completely, and attempting to do so is likely to backfire, when everyone notices that you published your abstract punching justification pretty much so you could get support when you punch Bob. I also think there’s a real risk of accidental coordination problems—reasons for you to punch bob will be easy to overgeneralize, and then EVERYONE punches Bob, which is far too severe for whatever justification you thought you have.
I know this is supposed to be allegorical, but I think this applies to many related questions: A better policy is not punching people, ever. And not accepting or justifying that it’s OK sometimes. Even as a response to Bob’s punches, the proper response is to escape and then to address the behavior. This is almost NEVER effective if you start by repeating the behavior you want to prevent. Pepper-spray if needed in the moment, then intervention (if you care about Bob and think it may work) or arrest (if Bob’s a stranger). Yes, this is escalation. Yes, this is the way to address Bob’s unacceptable actions.
I don’t think it’s possible to decouple the arguments very completely, and attempting to do so is likely to backfire, when everyone notices that you published your abstract punching justification pretty much so you could get support when you punch Bob. I also think there’s a real risk of accidental coordination problems—reasons for you to punch bob will be easy to overgeneralize, and then EVERYONE punches Bob, which is far too severe for whatever justification you thought you have.
I know this is supposed to be allegorical, but I think this applies to many related questions: A better policy is not punching people, ever. And not accepting or justifying that it’s OK sometimes. Even as a response to Bob’s punches, the proper response is to escape and then to address the behavior. This is almost NEVER effective if you start by repeating the behavior you want to prevent. Pepper-spray if needed in the moment, then intervention (if you care about Bob and think it may work) or arrest (if Bob’s a stranger). Yes, this is escalation. Yes, this is the way to address Bob’s unacceptable actions.