RE: The Ethics of Belief
July 22, 2015 at 7:49 pm
(This post was last modified: July 22, 2015 at 7:50 pm by bennyboy.)
+1 rep for best-defined OP ever.
It seems to me, however, that at least SOME beliefs will reliably support moral actions or at least cannot possibly be the root for immoral actions, despite having insufficient evidence. Therefore, while they may be poorly founded, they are at least not immoral.
Let's say I hold the belief that whenever I see a brown dog, I have to act extra kindly toward people, or I will have bad luck. The truth is that this belief is probably false, and could therefore never be corroborated with sufficient evidence. But the anecdotal evidence stemming from my own random interactions with the world has led to a belief which will, at least sometimes, cause me to act more kindly than I would otherwise. I do not see that this is an immoral belief.
I would say that superstitious beliefs, at least sometimes, are relatively moral-neutral. For example, if I have a lucky tie that I like to wear on dates, it may cause me to act more confidently, as my belief in that tie's "powers" will cause me to feel more positive and confident. I cannot see making an argument that causing myself to behave more postively and confidently would be immoral.
It seems to me, however, that at least SOME beliefs will reliably support moral actions or at least cannot possibly be the root for immoral actions, despite having insufficient evidence. Therefore, while they may be poorly founded, they are at least not immoral.
Let's say I hold the belief that whenever I see a brown dog, I have to act extra kindly toward people, or I will have bad luck. The truth is that this belief is probably false, and could therefore never be corroborated with sufficient evidence. But the anecdotal evidence stemming from my own random interactions with the world has led to a belief which will, at least sometimes, cause me to act more kindly than I would otherwise. I do not see that this is an immoral belief.
I would say that superstitious beliefs, at least sometimes, are relatively moral-neutral. For example, if I have a lucky tie that I like to wear on dates, it may cause me to act more confidently, as my belief in that tie's "powers" will cause me to feel more positive and confident. I cannot see making an argument that causing myself to behave more postively and confidently would be immoral.
