(March 2, 2018 at 4:56 pm)stretch3172 Wrote:(March 2, 2018 at 9:02 am)polymath257 Wrote: And that is where I strongly disagree. Even *if* there is a GOd that created the universe, the fact that I am a conscious being in a society of conscious beings gives me and us the power to decide, not God.
For example, suppose that at some point we are able to create artificial intelligence. Would we have the right to dictate what rules an AI society would have for themselves? I'd say no, resoundingly.
If we can use our intellect to arrive at ethical principles that work for us, that is all that is required. Pleasing a deity just because that deity made us is a very poor basis for morality.
I grant God the authority, not only because I was created for the purpose of His glory, but also because He understands morality itself better than I ever could. Like a captain's superior knowledge of sailing and navigation qualifies him to legislate orders for his crew to follow, God's perfect knowledge makes Him better qualified to legislate principles of morality to people. However, God does not take away our freedom to obey or ignore Him. Suppose your hypothetical AI society was grossly ignorant of moral principles and systematically cheated, raped, tortured and killed one another (assuming they are sufficiently advanced to do this). Wouldn't our superior knowledge of morality qualify us to suggest better ways for them to improve their society and give them the freedom to accept or reject them?
Suggest? Sure. Demand? No. Punish if they don't? No. Impose eternal punishment if they don't? Definitely not! That would make us evil.
