I have been thinking a lot about GK Chesterton's fences this summer. It has so many applications. I think of it every time I see proponents of gay marriage like @jk_rowling
now wringing their hands about #trans issues. They behave as though there is no connection between the two things, even though the rationale for both was precisely the same.
"But that's not the definition of marriage!"
"But definitions can change!"
"But that's not the definition of a woman!"
"But definitions can change!"
And so on and so forth.
Chesterton:
"There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.”
