Why should I? Why do you? For the 'good' of society? What does 'good' mean to you anyway, conformity?

Whether you're a theist or atheist doesn't matter but if you're simply going to give religion as your reason then I'd rather you do not post in this thread, thanks.

your purpose in life is to improve oneself.

but have you realized that?

your purpose in life is to improve oneself.

but have you realized that?

Improve in what way?

Improve your body and mind by exercising them?

To understand existence and life?

To advance humanity?

Why??????????

your purpose in life is to improve oneself.

but have you realized that?

who is the part of us that thinks it is better than the other parts of us and what makes it so sure it is right about the good?

If you are asking why we are here as humans, it is because we have to be. Nature has a cycle that it has to keep going. Animals are a part of that cycle, from the herbivores to the carnivores. Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat herbivores, carnivores die and fertilize the soil, plants grow so on and so forth.....

What makes us any better then a coyote? Because we have thought, reason, and a thumb? We have exactly the same job in life, to die. What we do while we are alive is up to us. We are lucky enough to be able to make that decision.

Think of life as a 100 dollar bill laying on the ground, I'm not going to question why its there, I'm just going to put it in my pocket and enjoy the fact I have now have it.

As far as morality goes, it is your preference if morality affects your decisions. Do I let morality affect what I do that only relates to myself, no. However if you are any type of decent human being you WILL let morality affect what you do to others, or if your actions can negatively affect another. Its of no religious significance, its simply that we should not condemn others to the style of living that we choose simply because it was "easier" or because we do not care, respect everyone around you and do not intrude on their lives in a negative way. If you do not let "morality" affect your decisions in life, then you will intrude. You life is no better then anyone else's.

objective moral laws are no different from objective physical laws. both are derived by reason.

the bottom line is that people are not intrinsically rational creatures. that is why we must make a conscious decision to act morally and rationally.

objective moral laws are no different from objective physical laws. both are derived by reason.

the bottom line is that people are not intrinsically rational creatures. that is why we must make a conscious decision to act morally and rationally.

Why do you trust that small portion of yourself that you think is rational more than other parts of yourself? It is still you, subject to error, unconscious selfishness, games of dominance, etc.

Why should I? Why do you? For the 'good' of society? What does 'good' mean to you anyway, conformity?

Whether you're a theist or atheist doesn't matter but if you're simply going to give religion as your reason then I'd rather you do not post in this thread, thanks.

What morality? Most of what people call morality is what they are told by their parents that is good, but our parents are victims of long-lasting oppresive traditions. This is false morality, real morality is born within yourself.

Because I consider myself a moral person. I act morally because I believe it is right and it helps me define myself. Acting for the good of society has nothing to do with it. In some cases, an immoral act may be better for society than a moral one.

By morality, I guess you mean doing good. Doing good makes others and yourself feel better. That's reason enough.

By morality, I guess you mean doing good. Doing good makes others and yourself feel better. That's reason enough.

(using 'common' definitions of good and evil here)

There are many evil things that would reward the performer but let the receiver suffer, as well as many good things that make the performer suffer but others happy.

I'm trying to think of what role morality should have in my life. Should I choose the path of a ruthless capitalist entrepreneur, or focus on helping other people? I really have no idea what to do with my life... Whatever I do... there's no real reward(ing experience).

Why should I? Why do you? For the 'good' of society? What does 'good' mean to you anyway, conformity?

Whether you're a theist or atheist doesn't matter but if you're simply going to give religion as your reason then I'd rather you do not post in this thread, thanks.

It isn't necessary to resort to religion to answer this question. Morality is what separates humans from animals that act simply on grounds of instinct and need. If morality does NOT influence your decisions or actions, you are no better than a wild, mindless beast. (I can't believe you even posed this inane question.)

who is the part of us that thinks it is better than the other parts of us and what makes it so sure it is right about the good?

lol....:p

lol....:p

Can you answer my reply to your post? thanks

It isn't necessary to resort to religion to answer this question. Morality is what separates humans from animals that act simply on grounds of instinct and need. If morality does NOT influence your decisions or actions, you are no better than a wild, mindless beast.
No because humans have this little thing called compassion that has nothing to do with morality. Compassion is genetically programmed. Morality is not. But this thread isn't about that.

No because humans have this little thing called compassion that has nothing to do with morality. Compassion is genetically programmed. Morality is not. But this thread isn't about that.

I think it is, because almost all morality is false, but compassion is not.
I mean, if someone ask me to kill some guy, I wouldn´t do it, not because of morality, but because I just don´t want to kill anybody! It is not something that I want to do and don´t do it because of morality, it is something I don´t do because of compassion.

compassion is feeling like helping others. morality is helping others not because you feel like doing so but because it is the right thing to do.

why do we need to make an effort to do the right thing? why is it not easy? because we are not naturally rational creatures. left to ourselves we will act in self-destrutive ways.

No because humans have this little thing called compassion that has nothing to do with morality. Compassion is genetically programmed. Morality is not. But this thread isn't about that.

Horsehockey! Your genetic "compassion" is very easily overruled by an actual inherent human trait - greed. It's morality that can keep greed in check. (Try thinking just a little deeper than you've been doing - so far, everything you've said has been very superficial and pretty naive,)

compassion is feeling like helping others. morality is helping others not because you feel like doing so but because it is the right thing to do.

why do we need to make an effort to do the right thing? why is it not easy? because we are not naturally rational creatures. left to ourselves we will act in self-destrutive ways.

Doing the right thing isn't necessarily rational. Would it be rational to sacrifice your own life to save 100 others? It might be the good thing to do but it isn't rational in any way. If you say it is then how is it?

Besides, the definition of 'good' is subjective.

Doing the right thing isn't necessarily rational. Would it be rational to sacrifice your own life to save 100 others? It might be the good thing to do but it isn't rational in any way. If you say it is then how is it?

Besides, the definition of 'good' is subjective.

Wow! You totally misunderstood what he said! He clearly said it wasn't rational - and here you are arguing against it withour even realizing that you're saying the same thing. Trouble with reading comprehension??:bugeye:

read only plz stop spamming

Doing the right thing isn't necessarily rational. Would it be rational to sacrifice your own life to save 100 others? It might be the good thing to do but it isn't rational in any way. If you say it is then how is it?

Besides, the definition of 'good' is subjective.


the right thing to do is the rational thing to do. why would you sacrifice yourself for a bunch of strangers? how do you come to the conclusion that that is the right thing?

i never said 'good'. i said 'right'.

the right thing to do is the rational thing to do. why would you sacrifice yourself for a bunch of strangers? how do you come to the conclusion that that is the right thing?

i never said 'good'. i said 'right'.

Like not letting someone suffer for your own amusement or profit? If not then what do you mean with the right thing?

read only plz stop spamming

SPAMMING?!?! I've done nothing but deal with your topic - something that you somehow seem to lack the understanding to do yourself. And you've made it very clear that you also don't understand what spamming is either. Sheesh!!!!:bugeye:

The obvious truth is that morality does affect our decisions. Could get heated..

The obvious truth is that morality does affect our decisions. Could get heated..

You're correct, Brent, thanks for chiming in. :)

The only way for it to get heated though, is for people who really don't understand human nature and how it operates to get involved. We've obviously had one of those right from the start but perhaps he will eventually learn something here.;)

Like not letting someone suffer for your own amusement or profit? If not then what do you mean with the right thing?

perhaps first you should ask yourself the following.

what does it mean to be rational?
why am i not rational?
what would i have to do to be rational?


people tend to get defensive when told that they should be rational. some even claim that being irrational is what makes us human. telling jokes, they point out, is irrational. but you have to remember that there are three levels to the brain corresponding to the questions 'what', 'why', and 'how'. 'what' you are doing can be irrational as long as there is a rational reason 'why' you are doing it.

Should one let morality influence his/her decisions?

Yes, all the time.

morality should influence decisions when one has less power than the rest. But with proper nuke like tactics and power...morality is irrelevant.

Yes, all the time.

I was hoping that one of you came up with a rational reason to do so.

I was hoping that one of you came up with a rational reason to do so.

I :

Pray
, just about it,
that you are not asking what I think you are.


Rational reason to let morality influence our decisions, when it is clear that morality does affect our decisions.

Should you? If you don't want to: No. Lol. Excuse me I am kind of high off of anti-anxiiety 'tranqulizers'.... :D

Anyhow......

Yeah. Morality does effect your decisions. I wonder if some learned people will eventually come in, Read, and provide us with all the elaborated details of how, which I am far too concerned to give a shit about.

:spank:

Yeah. Morality does effect your decisions. I wonder if some learned people will eventually come in, Read, and provide us with all the elaborated details of how, which I am far too concerned to give a shit about.


Bullshit. You're confusing compassion with morality.

Bullshit. You're confusing compassion with morality.

Nope. You're the one spreading BS here because of your lack of knowledge about how human psychology works and how people interact with each other. It's either that or your understanding is badly skewed.

Neither compassion or morality is inbred in humans. They have to be taught both. The human child is born with only two inherent instincts - how to suckle and greed. Both are necessary for early survival. Without either, they wouldn't nurse nor nurse enough.

Once you've managed to understand that tiny little bit of the basics, you'll begin to see what I and others have been trying to tell you all along.

Bullshit. You're confusing compassion with morality.

Nope, as Read said. There is a such thing called "morality is upon us".

This is not compassion.

Disagree?

Ever heard of moralists?

The problem with "morality" isn't with ones own actions, but how those actions affect all others around them. If there wasn't anyone else but yourself, you wouldn't have to consider "morality" in any decisions you ever had to make.

Baron Max

Hah. I guess I am a better moralist than I had thought...

Sitting alone with no people in the planet, you're undoubtedly going to be tempted to do something; shit, maybe you would think about things.

Hah. I guess I am a better moralist than I had thought...

What's a "moralist"?

Sitting alone with no people in the planet, you're undoubtedly going to be tempted to do something; shit, maybe you would think about things.

One might think about what they were going to do, but no likely would it be "morality" issues .....it would be whether or not it was dangerous, or worth the effort or somesuch thinking. But not "morality", for sure.

Baron Max

What's a "moralist"?



One might think about what they were going to do, but no likely would it be "morality" issues .....it would be whether or not it was dangerous, or worth the effort or somesuch thinking. But not "morality", for sure.

Baron Max


In the lower segment of your response Baron, you have demonstrated what morals are to us human individuals.

ex.
"One might think about what they were going to do" - but no likely would it be "morality" issues: a.k.a. it would not be laws pertaining to the morals of the individual,

Surely it would be considered moral in the sense that the person was moralless?

To answer your question a moralist is someone concerned with morals and the "morals" of individual people, someone who thinks about morals.

We can all think about morals. It's a part of us...:confused:

We can all think about morals. It's a part of us...:confused:

Morals are not part of us. We were not born with morals, they're taught to us via parents and society. And as I said before, morals only pertain to a society, not to a person living all alone on the planet.

Baron Max

But Max parents are part of we. And friends also spread morals. Everyone spreads morals. They are we.
Why should we take your example of someone alone on the planet as important? YOu are talking to social creatures who are not alone and something they consider important.

But Max parents are part of we. And friends also spread morals. Everyone spreads morals. They are we.

Without using that "...part of we" bullshit, that's exactly what I said .....that morals come from without, not within.

Why should we take your example of someone alone on the planet as important?

To show that morals are nothing but rules, guidelines, laws, methods and techniques for interacting with others ....that morals have no meaning without others in their life.

Baron Max

With me having a loaded gun pointed at your scull, will you talk to me of morality?

With me having a loaded gun pointed at your scull, will you talk to me of morality?

Ya' mean "skull"? ...as in my head?

If so, then the answer is sure ....anything you want at that point.

Baron Max

Ya' mean "skull"? ...as in my head?

If so, then the answer is sure ....anything you want at that point.

Baron Max

mistake there, yes I meant skull.

mistake there, yes I meant skull.

Okay, in that case, whatever you want to say, I'll agree with it ....as long as you hold the loaded gun to my head.

Baron Max

Morals are not part of us. We were not born with morals, they're taught to us via parents and society. And as I said before, morals only pertain to a society, not to a person living all alone on the planet.

Baron Max

Who taught you that? that's not what modern scholarship says about morality atall.

I was hoping that one of you came up with a rational reason to do so.

What do you mean by "rational" reason?

I was hoping that one of you came up with a rational reason to do so.

I find it hard to believe you even said that! Without morality affecting our decisions, civilization would be impossible to maintain! Just think about it and it should be glaringly obvious.

If everyone acted on nothing but immoral impulse, there would be nothing but total anarchy and mass mayhem. Advancement of any kind could never happen because there would be no cooperation with everyone looking out for only THEIR own personal interest.:bugeye: Sorry, but I'm simply astounded at your sheer lack of understanding human interactions.

It's a matter of perspective, to be honest. There's no clear-cut answer to this question. People act the way they feel like, I suppose it depends on the person.

;1543206']It's a matter of perspective, to be honest. There's no clear-cut answer to this question. People act the way they feel like, I suppose it depends on the person.

What do you mean, matter of perspective? The vast majority of people for the vast majority of the time certainly DO let their morals have an impact on their judgement.

Those that don't quickly find themselves behind bars because most laws are based upon moral behavior. Anyone who can doubt that is hereby invited to act as they please without reagrd to morals and see where they wind up.;)

Without using that "...part of we" bullshit, that's exactly what I said .....that morals come from without, not within.

Baron. I worded it differently than you would have, that doesn't make it bullshit. You realize that people you are addressing include parents. Parents are not alien intruders on the planet dispensing morals. They are people. Friends, which most of us are to somebody, also give off morals. YOu do it yourself. You think psychobabble is bad and you attack those who break your moral code. You are the source that that moral. Or is it simply your parents?


To show that morals are nothing but rules, guidelines, laws, methods and techniques for interacting with others ....that morals have no meaning without others in their life.

Well, again. What is the importance of this claim of yours?