This is why, in canon at least, they must be cast with hatred. That’s a great safety valve for getting rid of accidental murders.
I think I’d prefer the safety valve working the other way. “Let’s limit it only to the people most likely to abuse it” sounds like a dubious tactic. Although come to think of it it is a rather good analogue to elements of standard morality (with respect to power and status).
I think I’d prefer the safety valve working the other way.
I agree that a safety valve that makes sure only Good Guys (who?) kill Bad Guys (who?) would be more morally valuable. But if you’re doing that you might as well program moral laws into the universe itself, so it is impossible to lie, steal, or murder.
This is a technically feasible (but this is magic we’re talking about) hack which makes it more difficult to mistakenly murder or torture people with magic.
I think I’d prefer the safety valve working the other way. “Let’s limit it only to the people most likely to abuse it” sounds like a dubious tactic. Although come to think of it it is a rather good analogue to elements of standard morality (with respect to power and status).
I agree that a safety valve that makes sure only Good Guys (who?) kill Bad Guys (who?) would be more morally valuable. But if you’re doing that you might as well program moral laws into the universe itself, so it is impossible to lie, steal, or murder.
This is a technically feasible (but this is magic we’re talking about) hack which makes it more difficult to mistakenly murder or torture people with magic.