crispybits wrote:Just realised that I missed a question here:
Shape wrote:All the same, while those that subscribe to a theistic religion base their morality in their god(s) or religious text(s), it is interesting to consider in what non-theists base their morality. Perhaps you can elaborate on where you get yours.
I base mine on the principles developed by society, based on rational reasoning and logical debate, for the best way for humans to treat each other to provide the most benefit to both the individual and society. On people talking and thinking and finding the best way to create the most common good, equality and freedom for all at any given point in history, geography and culture.
I kind of sense a relativism criticism coming next, and if I'm right in this then I would ask in advance if you believe that there are moral absolutes independent of society or even humanity? Are there things that are always wrong, regardless of the circumstances or the prevailing moral viewpoint of society as a whole at any given time?
Certainly on a non-theism view, one would have to subscribe to moral relativism or, rather, subjective morality, since one would have no basis for absolute or objective morals. Personally, I believe that absolute morality is mostly false, as you kind of hinted at, there can be situations in which, say, murder or killing someone, rather, would be morally correct. This leaves the objective and subjective morality left, and with subjective morality, things can get kind of fuzzy. Different people groups have different perceptions of what is communally and individually beneficial, and often practices of one people group can be morally obtrusive or even disgusting by the standards of another people group. Then there are things like sexual acts (say, cheating on a girlfriend/boyfriend) that aren't punishable by law nor is the act inherently beneficial or otherwise; you didn't commit to that person, technically speaking, and two out of the three people involved would leave happy. In this case and in many other cases, is it morally proper to judge on the basis of who benefited most from the moral act, or if not, why would it be appropriate? In another instance, would it be morally right to execute convicted criminals (ignoring misdemeanors, let's suppose)? Certainly, it would benefit the masses by not having to worry about the criminal again (and thus preventing further potential damage), and taxes could be spent in more societally beneficial ways. What I mean to say is there are things that
feel immoral, even though the repercussions positively affect the majority.
Let me know if I misrepresented your opinion; perhaps you can clarify if I did so.
-Shape