This is true, although it is a good start, right? If a cultural practice has survived for many generations, this alone already indicates that the practice might be compatible with human society, morals, sustainability, etc.

> We also shouldn't confuse self-mutilation with healthy activities like exercising simply because both "shape one's own body".

True! We should indeed not confuse self-mutilation with healthy activities just because they share some similarities.

But would you classify scars or tattoos motivated by aesthetics as self-mutilation? What about piercings, such as holes for earrings or laser hair removal?

I believe that is an interesting and unusual position. Do you have an argument in favor of your (so far implicit) take?

-[1] https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yCWPkLi8wJvewPbEp/the-noncen...