So you don&#x27;t agree that the process by which someone reaches a moral position is open to question?<p>The simpler argument is that Dr Piper is really in no position to act like anyone&#x27;s external conscience. He has no basis whatsoever to claim that he&#x27;s either qualified or competent to act in that role.<p>Now, clearly he believes otherwise. That&#x27;s very much his prerogative.<p>It&#x27;s everyone else&#x27;s prerogative to decide whether or not they agree.<p>I&#x27;d suggest that anyone who claims to be promoting genuine independent thought is going to be willing to engage in an open debate.<p>&quot;You&#x27;re acting like a child and you shouldn&#x27;t feel the way you do about the things I say&quot; is neither an open position nor an honest one. It&#x27;s an attempt to shut down debate about an ethical position, not an attempt to encourage it.