RE: Atheism and vegetarianism
September 1, 2010 at 6:50 am
(This post was last modified: September 1, 2010 at 6:58 am by The Omnissiunt One.)
(August 31, 2010 at 5:47 pm)Existentialist Wrote: I tend to take the etymologically purist line...
Language is just a system of communication, so it seems silly to cling to definitions which no-one uses. Having said that, I am a grammar Nazi myself, so I can't really talk. Also, the Vegetarian Society says that 'vegetarian' comes from the Latin 'vegetus', meaning 'lively'. Whether this is true or not is a matter for debate...
(August 31, 2010 at 7:31 pm)lrh9 Wrote: If it does, you should be able to back it up. It is hypocritical to require moral nihilists to have an objective, absolute, and real base for their beliefs about policy (which we do) without subjecting yourself to the same standard.
Hang on... you say you do have an objective base for your beliefs? Or have I misunderstood you?
Quote:I think the same could be said of anyone. Laws are codifications of policy law makers desire, and laws are enforced by those who desire to enforce them.
Moral nihilism would not be a good basis for law-making. Rational debate would be impossible. Everyone would just end asserting his or her opinion. It may be philosophically true to say that there are no objective morals, but it's not practical.
Quote:I have no objection to the discussion and implementation of a system of ethics and policy based on that system, but I do object to the heavy handed 'right and wrong morality' you smack down on omnivores and vegetarians.
By this definition, all moral judgements are heavy-handed. Anyway, it's not heavy-handed or absolute. Some omnivores may eat only free-range organic meat, making them more ethical than those who don't. My moral system allows for shades of grey.
Quote:Face it. You haven't a leg to stand on except your personal preference, just as I have freely admitted of myself.
Maybe not, but at least I have the possibility of convincing people, as I have (to an extent) rational reasons for my moral beliefs, even if the basic principles upon which they're founded are ultimately irrational.
'We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.' H.L. Mencken
'False religion' is the ultimate tautology.
'It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions.' Mark Twain
'I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.' Abraham Lincoln
'False religion' is the ultimate tautology.
'It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions.' Mark Twain
'I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.' Abraham Lincoln
