RE: Why do we need morals?
May 13, 2013 at 3:02 pm
(This post was last modified: May 13, 2013 at 3:04 pm by Praetorian.)
This is one of the most long-winded threads I've come across. Perhaps that's because morality is an abstract concept, and as such is open to individual interpretation. Consider this example:
"It's wrong to kill your neighbor. Why did you do it?"
"He was trying to kill me."
"Ok, then it was justified."
Against this example:
"It's wrong to kill your neighbor. Why did you do it?"
"He was stealing my TV."
Depending upon what state you're in in the US, this could be legal or illegal. Both sides have a valid argument - your resources directly effect your ability to survive, but the punishment was not in proportion to the crime.
Moreover, when cultures disagree with each others's morality on a large scale, what happens? WAR!
I agree with Sam Harris that morality is at it's base, linked to the well-being of conscious creatures, but I do not agree with it being objective.
"It's wrong to kill your neighbor. Why did you do it?"
"He was trying to kill me."
"Ok, then it was justified."
Against this example:
"It's wrong to kill your neighbor. Why did you do it?"
"He was stealing my TV."
Depending upon what state you're in in the US, this could be legal or illegal. Both sides have a valid argument - your resources directly effect your ability to survive, but the punishment was not in proportion to the crime.
Moreover, when cultures disagree with each others's morality on a large scale, what happens? WAR!
I agree with Sam Harris that morality is at it's base, linked to the well-being of conscious creatures, but I do not agree with it being objective.
