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 Manchu wrote:
Objectification is required to kill?

No, as long as its a threat, we must take action to ensure the good of our species. Even at the cost of other species.

I for one welcome our new Tau overlords.

 Tadashi wrote:

 Manchu wrote:
Objectification is required to kill?

No, as long as its a threat, we must take action to ensure the good of our species. Even at the cost of other species.

It was a rhetorical question.

Xenophiles insist on treating aliens as if they are human out of a misguided sense of inter-species respect when all it amounts to is anthropocentric chauvinism. The counter argument was that objectifying them in order to kill them is a worse form of chauvinism. That argument fails on two counts: First, I have no objection to anthropomorphic chauvinism regarding the 40k universe. It is clear to me that humanity must dominate the galaxy in order to survive in any meaningful way. The example of the kinbrach proves nothing given we know nothing about the particulars of their relationship to the Interex. Telling me my that my human-supremacist position is more distasteful to you than your own thoughtless anthropocentric assumptions means nothing to me. Second, treating a person as an object is inappropriate. Personhood, however, is a human concept. Humans are the only beings in 40k that can properly be called persons by humans. But even if the xenos could be called persons, objectifying them would not be necessary to kill them.

In 40k, xenophobia is fully-justified considering the the way Humans suffered in general during the Old Night. IRL, I might be willing to coexist if they're peaceful (unlikely, seeing as real life aliens would be all but impossible to even understand), but don't expect me to just open my arms in welcome and unconditional trust. I'd certainly use them as an excuse for accelerated technological development and military build-up. At the end of the day, we all have an obligation to put our species ahead of others, and anything less would be blood treason.

Whatever you might do with regard to any hypothetical situation not involving the 40k universe is irrelevant to this discussion.

 Manchu wrote:
Whatever you might do with regard to any hypothetical situation not involving the 40k universe is irrelevant to this discussion.

My point is 'humanizing' aliens whether in 40k or IRL is meaningless, seeing as they were never Human to begin with.

My point is, this is a 40k background discussion so there's no need to get into "IRL" scenarios. That is clouding the discussion. Whatever aliens might be like in the real world, let's not confuse Eldrad with Spock or Far sight with ET.

Most aliens in 40k are unusual in the sense that they appear very similar to Humans or to Earth life, which should be impossible. But even if they can be understood by Humans, they are hostile and a threat, and so co-existence is not an option. In the case of the Tau, co-existence is not possible not because of antipathy to Humans, but rather, out of political reasons.

Thread closed due to mind melting stupidity.