[remarkEon]

I know what point you are trying to make, but these decisions are functionally equivalent.

Striking a building with ordinance (indirect fires, dropped from fixed wing, doesn't really matter) involves some discernment about utility, secondary effects, probability of accomplishing a given goal, and so on. Writing an office memo (a good one at least) involves the same kind of analysis. I know your point is that "people will die" when you blow up a building, but the parameters are really quite similar.

[ImPostingOnHN]

> these decisions are functionally equivalent

> I know your point is that "people will die" when you blow up a building, but the parameters are really quite similar

The parameters are similar, but the effects are different. That's what makes the decision not functionally equivalent. A functionally equivalent decision would have the same functional result.

To put a point on it: we are allowed to, and indeed should, consider the effects of a decision when making it.