what do you think about morality?

[smartestnumber5]

I'm working on a paper about moral philosophy and a lot of the issues that philosophers deal with matters of how people use moral language. Philosophers don't do any empirical research so usually we just do a lot of speculating . I thought I'd get some opinions here!

So, what exactly do you mean when you assert a moral claim (either in your own head or in talking to others)--for example, "stealing is wrong"?

Do you mean to say something like "I think stealing is wrong--but this is merely my opinion. There is no truth of the matter about whether stealing is wrong"?

Do you mean to say something like "It is a fact about the world that stealing is wrong. I think it's wrong because it really is wrong"?

Do you mean to say "It's true for me/my society that stealing is wrong. But it might not be true for you/your society."

Do you mean to say something like "In order to live together with other humans, we have to come to agreements about certain principles of social interaction we will abide by. Stealing is one of those principles"?

Do you mean "God commands us not to steal"?

Do you reject the idea of morality altogether?

Or do you mean something else (and if so, what)?

(And does your view change if we stick in some other action for "stealing"--maybe "genocide" or "eating infants"?)

 

[PaulaSB12]

Morality is important. It doesn't matter if you follow the rules because of a religion or not. We live in groups, for this to work at all rules are needed to protect our property and our persons. Other wise there would be complete anarchy with even more murder and crime than there is now. What is that old saying good fences make good neighbours?

 

[bicker]

Other than physical truths (water is wet), there are no absolute truths, but there are many things that the vast majority of everyone accepts as truth, which gives those things the appearance of being absolute (such as your examples "genocide" and "eating infants"). The core purpose of morality is to foster civilization. People comply with moral precepts for different reasons though, and in some case more than one reason. Those reasons break-down into three groups: "because I believe (or someone's convinced me) that's what I'm supposed to do," "because I fear the personal ramifications if I don't," and "because I believe (or someone's convinced me) that doing so will have a beneficial impact on society."

 

[GeorgeG]

I think morality is a mind-set that comes with basic decency and common sense. I'm not sure if we are born with it or it is instilled as we grow up, but there are many influences that tend to challenge it throughout our lives. I suppose it can also be learned.

Some people rely on religion for their guidance, others just seem to do what seems right to them. It still comes down to common decency and sense regardless of the influence.

 

[bicker]

I think morality is a mind-set that comes with basic decency and common sense.

The more you interact with different people, from all over the nation and especially all over the world, you come to realize that there is no such thing as "basic" decency or "common" sense. In each case, it is relative to each person's own perspective. Each person has their own sense of decency, and indeed may share that sense of decency with many of their neighbors and peers, therefore giving them a false sense that that commonality is more than just a product of proximity of experience.

I'm not sure if we are born with it or it is instilled as we grow up, but there are many influences that tend to challenge it throughout our lives. I suppose it can also be learned.

If we were born with it, then you wouldn't have the kinds of conflicts that we have in the world. It, whatever "it" is, is indeed instilled as we grow up and as we have life experiences -- though it is a random chance thing as to whether those life experience reinforce or undercut. By that I mean that for different people the same exact life experiences can alternatively foster a certain belief and foster its opposite.

The fact that these things are reflections of life experiences underscores how they're relative -- i.e., not absolute. While neighbors often experience many of the same life experiences, and therefore have a greater chance of there being a significant number who end up with the same or similar perspectives, it also makes sense that people who have different life experiences from each other have a very good chance of developing radically different perspectives -- each can develop the belief that their own perspective is the only "correct" one.

 

[SeaSpray]

Here's MY answer, which actually incorporates 2 of your choices:

"God commands us not to steal" THEREFORE "It is a fact about the world that stealing is wrong. I think it's wrong because it really is wrong".

 

[Saffron]

What bicker said. I couldn't have expressed myself so eloquently if I tried!

You always have great posts, bicker.

 

[ducklite]

I believe that a moral person lives their life in a manner which is least disruptive to those around them. When you look at the ten commandments, the act of each of those will cause negative disruption and consequences in the lives of others. Regardless of who wrote them, they are a good stepping point for mankind at large.

I don't believe that you need to follow a strict interpretation of the bible or any other religious holy book, in fact often the lack of tolerance by those that do follow a strict interpretation leads me to think that they are missing the point of it all to begin with.

I believe in the Jewish concept of Mitzvah's (and I might have this a little wrong--sorry, I was raised Catholic) by doing good deeds, helping the poor with charitable contributions for example it attones for the little sins (or lapses of judgement) that we all commit. Although I was raised Catholic and still consider myself Catholic, the idea of saying three "Hail Mary's" and two "Our Fathers" to attone for sins doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I always thought that doing something more constructive for the world at large was a more appropriate service to God.

I don't believe that common sense and morality come hand in hand. My sister has no common sense, but has very high moral standards (and a Ph.D.--go figure. )

Perhaps basic decency is the best way to describe morality, although back to my earlier words, one persons basic decency is not the same as anothers. While it would be terribly offensive to wear a t-shirt with any type of curse--or innuendo of one--at WDW, this same shirt would be appropriate to wear at most rock concerts.

IMHO, tolerence and a general compassion for mankind, as well as a respect of the environment that we all share is what makes up a moral person.

Anne

 

[alldiz]

bottom line....

treat other people the way you would like to be treated...

if most people did this.....there would be a lot more PEACE

most people would not like someone else to...
kill them...
steal from them...
and so on........
peace
kerri

 

[bicker]

What bicker said. I couldn't have expressed myself so eloquently if I tried! You always have great posts, bicker.

I aim to please.

 

[Uncle Remus]

What bicker said. I couldn't have expressed myself so eloquently if I tried!

You always have great posts, bicker.

I love that guy!

 

[Cantw8]

I love that guy!

Where the heck have you been?

BTW, this thread made my head hurt

 

[themarquis]

I love that guy!

Welcome back! Haven't seen you for a while... smartest and I were thinking of PMing you to check to see if you were still alive!

 

[disneymama73]

I love that guy!

Waving frantically! HELLO!

 

[miss missy]

I think, stealing is wrong. Because to me it is about respecting others property. I treat people they way they treat me, therefore, I don't want anyone stealing from me.

If I had to steal to feed my baby, I would be doing so knowing it is wrong. It doesn't mean I wouldn't, it means I would do it with a heavy heart.

 

[castleview]

I'm working on a paper about moral philosophy and a lot of the issues that philosophers deal with matters of how people use moral language. Philosophers don't do any empirical research so usually we just do a lot of speculating . I thought I'd get some opinions here!

So, what exactly do you mean when you assert a moral claim (either in your own head or in talking to others)--for example, "stealing is wrong"?

Do you mean to say something like "I think stealing is wrong--but this is merely my opinion. There is no truth of the matter about whether stealing is wrong"?

Do you mean to say something like "It is a fact about the world that stealing is wrong. I think it's wrong because it really is wrong"?

Do you mean to say "It's true for me/my society that stealing is wrong. But it might not be true for you/your society."

Do you mean to say something like "In order to live together with other humans, we have to come to agreements about certain principles of social interaction we will abide by. Stealing is one of those principles"?

Do you mean "God commands us not to steal"?

Do you reject the idea of morality altogether?

Or do you mean something else (and if so, what)?

(And does your view change if we stick in some other action for "stealing"--maybe "genocide" or "eating infants"?)

Aaahhh! Ethics 101 is coming back to haunt me. Extrinsic thinking, intrinsic thinking...the responses were enjoyable to read but I need to get off this thread before I get a headache.

 

[JoyG]

Here's MY answer, which actually incorporates 2 of your choices:

"God commands us not to steal" THEREFORE "It is a fact about the world that stealing is wrong. I think it's wrong because it really is wrong".

What they said!

 

[JoyG]

I love that guy!

Yeah, where have you been??

 

[jimmiej]

God (Biblical) made us in His image to be perfect & holy like Him. However, man chose to disobey. God, in turn gave us His law to show us the line between right & wrong. I believe we get our basic understanding of morality from Him. In addition, I believe that Satan & his demons are constantly seeking to keep people from The Truth (God).

 

[Lanshark]

My own personal moral compass has been defined by my personal life experiences, my environment and my faith system. According to my basic beliefs stealing is wrong.

But....

Is is wrong for a starving person to steal food to feed themselves or their children?

Is is wrong for a sick person to steal medicine to live?

Personally, I have the luxury to be able to live according to my moral standard. There are many less fortunate. The need to survive can alter ones perception of morality.