It's not clear from your post (although the reference to a "ground state of respect" is a possible clue) whether you view respect as a binary state or as a continuum. I tend to think of it as the latter and as having multiple dimensions.
By default, I'd say that an individual is entitled to a certain "ground state" level of respect. As I come to know more about them, that level of respect is not only going to change (positively or negatively), but is going to vary depending on the particular subject of discussion.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-03-28 03:18 pm (UTC)By default, I'd say that an individual is entitled to a certain "ground state" level of respect. As I come to know more about them, that level of respect is not only going to change (positively or negatively), but is going to vary depending on the particular subject of discussion.