Is there such a thing as absolute morality? Is anything wrong (or right) absolu

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   JMcFarlandposted 12 years ago

   Is there such a thing as absolute morality?  Is anything wrong (or right) absolutely?

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   J-Riveraposted 12 years ago

   This question has long been pondered. I think in these times there is much more grey than black and white. Culture, religion, society, where you lived, your life experiences all influence our decisions and our morality. I have researched most religions and have a broader view of humans and their nature as individuals.
   There are those things that most people agree upon, such as rape, child abuse, child molestation, violence against women and minorities. I could go on forever but you see it's all in each individuals perspective. There are very few absolutes in this world, but as human beings I cant see socially many absolutes to be had. And depending on the situation calls for great thought on any absolute decision. humans adapt and grow, and evolve. our minds are learning new things every day. we are making the once impossible possible. Our minds are the most powerful thing. put to good use they will create many great things.
        j-rivera

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   Ben Gravesposted 12 years ago

   I believe that morality is based on very simple principles: If it's good for an individual and society in the long run, towards progress, and makes you feel good, then it's right. If it hurts any person and doesn't benefit society and its members, it's wrong. It doesn't take religion (or fear of punishment for that matter) to instill a conscience.

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      JMcFarlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      agreed.  You don't need a religion to be moral - and arguably you can be much more moral without any religion at all.

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      jlparkposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      JMcFarland - thank you for finally putting into words what I've always meant to say. And Ben, thank you!

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   chef-de-jourposted 12 years ago

   Absolute morality per se will never exist in the real world because human nature is always evolving and adapting to its surroundings. This means that at any given time in any given society events, happenings and subsequent debate/actions move things on. Human thinking and therefore human morality, is never static or set in stone. Absolute morality can only ever be a mental concept, useful perhaps in philosophical debate but unworkable in reality.
   
   To have absolute morality you would have to imagine a society where all save one are subservient clones without conscience or free will or any kind of development except in a biological sense.. At the head of this society is an absolute leader, THE moral authority, an individual with complete power over right and wrong. This person would create THE MORAL FRAMEWORK, be supreme judge, in both spiritual and legal matters, and there would be no appeal process operable.
   
   The nearest we get to this, I think, is in nature, in the insect world. But insects do not possess morality, at least not in my knowledge - you would have to impose a human type of morality on them, as Disney sometimes do!
   
   You could argue that the concept of absolute morality is related to the idea of an absolute authority in the shape of a god or goddess, and that any morality 'handed down' to humankind in absolute (pure) form, would have to be diluted and therefore not be absolute.
   
   Each day in hospitals the world over doctors and families face the moral dilemma of whether or not to let a patient die. The instinct is to keep the person alive; let's say it's a 100 year old grandmother with terminal illness. There is the technology to keep this old lady alive indefinitely but the decision taken is often that of least discomfort for the patient. So the machine is switched off. Who is right? Who is wrong? Absolute morality from an absolute being would solve the problem but this being doesn't exist.
   
   Hypothetically you say it's wrong to let a 100 year old person die. I say it's right. A third person thinks we let her live too long, another says that all old people should be terminated at the age of 80!!?? Evolving morality!!

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