on 3/29/07 2:58 PM, Oldak Quill at oldakquill@gmail.com wrote:
Respect is too vague and variable a notion for a multicultural venture like Wikipedia to base policy on. Particular customs in the UK in medicine and funeral care which are considered respectful to the dead probably aren't considered respectful in some cultures, religions and traditions.
The closest we can do is to act in the spirit of respect.
I'm not sure what you mean exactly by the "spirit" of respect, but I think I'll take it ;-)
Respect is an attitude reflected, in part, by our behavior toward another being. This respect should not be determined by which society or culture this being happened to be born into.
Respect is something which cannot be legislated or regulated; it is part civility and part empathy - the ability to respect another being should be built in to us all.
Marc Riddell