RE: what are we supposed to say again when christians ask us where we get our morality?
May 13, 2014 at 2:39 pm
(This post was last modified: May 13, 2014 at 3:06 pm by Simon Moon.)
(May 13, 2014 at 1:23 pm)Statler Waldorf Wrote: How is what someone else prefers relevant?
It is relevant because I want to live in a society where my well being is relatively safe from others, so I care that others well being is also safe.
Quote:ow do you define well-being?
I already did.
Life, freedom, comfort, health, ability to thrive.
Quote:Why only sentient beings?
That's another discussion.
Quote:Why should a person do what is preferable to someone else?
Because a society with rules where members have a reasonable chance at well being, means that I will also have a reasonable chance at well being.
Quote: Why not what is preferable to them only?
Because I or a loved one may be a victim of their preferences that are not in line with the well being of others.
Quote: It’s completely arbitrary and therefore meaningless.
How is the fact that the vast majority of people prefer to; live, be pain free, not be slaves, be arbitrary?
This is not rocket science.
Here's a thought experiment that may help.
Imagine you are part of a group of people with varying backgrounds, sexes, races, and beliefs. Your group is in charge of creating a new society, but when you are finished, you have no idea if your gender, color, beliefs, etc will be the most accepted.
So, how would you go about designing this society in a way that, even if you ended up in the lowest status, with the minority race and beliefs, you would have a chance at a decent life other than maximizing well being in that society?
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
