Well I think there are three main questions at hand here.
What informs your moral system?
I think that people put far too much emphasis on their personal moral identity. Civilians in nazi Germany and followers of cults are not people of lesser moral fortitude - they were swayed by the incredible power of collective thought. We like to think of ourselves as these concrete entities, but I think we are much more liable to external influences than we think. That being said, I think that our moral identities are composed of a dialectic between biology and society, or individual and communal.
What is morality?
Like I've stated previously, I believe that what we call "morally good" is that which helps ensure the social cohesion (and by extension, survival) of one's own species.
Is there such thing as objective morality?
I can't answer this, but I don't think so.
I agree, especially with the first point. People base so much of their behaviour on what they are told by society, the media etc, yet from the poll results it seems that not many people are aware of this.
I wonder how many people would come to the same definition of what we consider morality, if they were left to actually decide themselves, without external forces determining what is right and wrong for them.
Well, I do think that there is a universal aspect to it. I don't think it's a coincidence that there are similar moral precepts all across the world, even in cultures with no mutual contact. But that doesn't mean morality exists because of us, it's the opposite - we exist because of morality! Without it, we wouldn't even be here as a species.
the nature of morality
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What do you think on the whole thing btw??
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Anonymous Post Author
11 years ago
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Well I think there are three main questions at hand here.
What informs your moral system?
I think that people put far too much emphasis on their personal moral identity. Civilians in nazi Germany and followers of cults are not people of lesser moral fortitude - they were swayed by the incredible power of collective thought. We like to think of ourselves as these concrete entities, but I think we are much more liable to external influences than we think. That being said, I think that our moral identities are composed of a dialectic between biology and society, or individual and communal.
What is morality?
Like I've stated previously, I believe that what we call "morally good" is that which helps ensure the social cohesion (and by extension, survival) of one's own species.
Is there such thing as objective morality?
I can't answer this, but I don't think so.
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bananaface
11 years ago
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I agree, especially with the first point. People base so much of their behaviour on what they are told by society, the media etc, yet from the poll results it seems that not many people are aware of this.
I wonder how many people would come to the same definition of what we consider morality, if they were left to actually decide themselves, without external forces determining what is right and wrong for them.
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Anonymous Post Author
11 years ago
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Well, I do think that there is a universal aspect to it. I don't think it's a coincidence that there are similar moral precepts all across the world, even in cultures with no mutual contact. But that doesn't mean morality exists because of us, it's the opposite - we exist because of morality! Without it, we wouldn't even be here as a species.