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The Nature of Morality

Though this may be too philosophical for the teen section, I think it is an interesting.  Basically, few people contest that morality exists, and they are called moral nihilist.  I am not one of those people, but when it comes to the nature of morality, it can become more controversial.

For instance, can moral statements be true and false?  In other words, is morality external of humans and thus in need of being discovered rather than invented?  

Personally, I think morality is subjective, or that it tells the desires of human beings, and so it is entirely dependent upon humans.  This would mean that if I say "X is wrong," I am expressing a desire rather than a fact.  I would like to hear some responses before going into more detail.


Note: Though i would post something before my account gets deleted for inactivity.

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For instance, can moral statements be true and false?  In other words, is morality external of humans and thus in need of being discovered rather than invented?

Well, you choose the Religious board for this thread so I suppose you're looking for a  religious response?. Morality exists and how do we know what is right and wrong? by reading the Bible. God has given lots of scriptures in the Bible concerning the importance of our bodies and the proper use for it.

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Personally, I think morality is subjective, or that it tells the desires of human beings, and so it is entirely dependent upon humans

Maybe you will like to express more your point, I don't fully understand. You said morality is subjective...okay..subjective to what in your opinion?

The Nature of Morality Beliefs Religious General

I think it is difficult to say that there is an external morality based on gods word (filtered through humans at least).  Maybe there an absolute list of rights and wrongs out there, but it may be written in a language I am not yet able to understand.  As far as all of the sacred books go, they may be the best guides we have, but I think that we have the responsibility to scrutinize even them with both our hearts and minds.  Keep in mind that in the old testament it says that god comanded the israelites to commit genicide, sparing no-one, not even babies.  Also, the brothers of Dina (if I remeber correctly) who later became the patriarchs of the 12 tribes cut down all of the men in an entire tribe after they had agreed to convert (which included circumcision, so they were then less able to fight back).  

I do think we need to look to the best wisdom and inspiration (or revelations recieved) of our ancestors, but we need to use them to move forward and become better than past generations.

DP

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Also, the brothers of Dina (if I remeber correctly) who later became the patriarchs of the 12 tribes cut down all of the men in an entire tribe after they had agreed to convert (which included circumcision, so they were then less able to fight back).

Jacob rebuked them for this behavior in Genesis Chapter 34.  The blessings that Simeon and Levi received before their father died reflected their injustice.  They were held accountable and punished by God through their blessings, so I think this would point towards there being a morality in the Bible rather than away from it.  You can read this in Genesis chapter 49.

I think some things are wrong no matter how you look at it and some things are viewed as wrong depending upon your culture.  So, I think there is a definate morality based upon Gods' word, but not all morality as viewed by society is necessarily from God.  For example, I think it is wrong to murder no matter what culture it is in which you live.  Murder and kill are not the same so let's not argue about war or self-defense.  I think it is immoral to steal.  Certain cultures consider some behaviors immoral that I do not so I don't think all morality is absolute.

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The only problem with morality is that it is completely subjective to the views of the individuals. Buddhists have morals, they are based upon the teachings of Buddha. Muslims have morals, even terrorists sects, they are based on the Koran. I have morals also, but they are not based completely on the Bible but my own innate sense of right and wrong. That sense comes primarily from upbringing and social perception on morality.

By saying that the Bible is where morals are found is saying that anyone who doesn't believe the Bible has no morals. But the reality is that everyone has morals, just not the same morals. Even criminals have morals, that is why a hardened murderer who is unrepentant, will still rape and murder a child molester in jail. Their morals are based on something else entirely.

The Bible is not the only book that teaches morals and thus is not the only place morals can be found. Morals, as I mentioned before, are completely subjective to the society and people that are living in a particular time period. Remember, Paul speaks of it being shameful for a woman to not cover her head in public, yet today that scripture is ignored. Why? Because as a society, christians included, have decided that this particular moral that was taught in Pauls time is not right for today. Even biblical morals are subjective to personal interpretation, social acceptance, and time period adjustments.

The Nature of Morality

I believe morality mainly stems from our desire to not die.
I think for thousands and thousands of years we have been communicating with each other, and watching each other die. When we came to the realization that we would suffer the same fate, we careful scrutinized everything that could bring us pain, displeasure, or death. Think about it, at one time or another just about anything could kill you. So in a sense, morality was born in the hopes of stopping death. But of course that is the apple is it not? The fact that we have the knowledge that we are going to die has a tendency to skew everything in the world around us. So everything that brought death or pain became immoral. Even sex can bring pain and death if done indiscriminately with people and animals. I'm not saying that the moral feelings that most people share aren't right, on the contrary I believe morality is helping us adapt to our every changing world. I just think we maybe go a little to far with morality in certain aspects, but irrational fear of death and loss of control will do that to a society.

Just to let ya'll know, I am not an expert on anything, I'm just a college guy looking for people to talk that actually have something to say. If anything I say is factually wrong, please tell me. I would rather know the truth than live in ignorance.

JMississippi

Offtopic but, PS. I'm going to apologize in advance because my grammar is not always going to be perfect. I love reading and writing, but unfortunately my grammar and sometimes come up short because it is difficult to write everything I feel in a grammatically correct way. PPS. Despite the fact that "ya'll" is not in any dictionary, I assure each and every one of you that it is a word. I use it everyday and hear it used a million times everyday. If that doesn't make it a word, I don't know what does.

Message Edited! by Farseer: Please use the offtopic tags for postscripts -- I've added them for you here, but you may wish to check help section for how to use them. Thanks!

Edited: FarSeer on 27th Mar, 2005 - 6:14am