Underlying Causes Of Underlying Causes

Tom: It is not enough to punish crimes like theft. You have to look at the underlying causes of theft. You have to ask why people steal. Figuring out why people steal can help prevent theft in the future.  

Harry: And why do people steal?

Tom: Studies show one of the biggest underlying causes of theft is poverty.

Harry: And what is the underlying cause of poverty?

Tom: Often enough, it’s racism.

Harry: And what is the underlying cause of racism?

Tom: Well, racism is simply evil.

Harry: What’s the underlying cause of evil?

Tom: Evil doesn’t have an underlying cause.

Harry: Is theft evil?

Tom: Theft can be prevented.

Harry: Can evil be prevented?

Tom: Yes.

Harry: So how do you prevent racism?

Tom: On second thought, I’d say the underlying cause of racism is ignorance.

Harry: What’s the underlying cause of ignorance?

Tom: Probably poverty, as well.

Harry: So theft is caused by poverty, which is caused by racism, which is caused by ignorance, which is caused by poverty?

-from my latest for CiRCE