So, I was reading a post on E-ninja's blog about how atheists feel about morality, and I decided to wax philosophically for a sec. So, regarding morality:
I've always felt that morality is the feeling that you wouldn't do something based on what other people would think of you. Conversely, I believe principles are the reasons you wouldn't do something because of how you feel. So, like myself, you can have principles without morals. For example, you could have someone that has no problem with stealing from people (no morals), but will not steal from the elderly (principles). By the way, I'm not talking about me - I have no problem stealing from the elderly :)
So, my thought for the day is this - thing about what you would/wouldn't do, and ask yourself - is it because of someone else's opinion, or your own?
Critical
Posted at 08:16 am by Critical
 | | |
eepie
September 26, 2005 06:48 PM PDT
just be careful. one of those elderly peeps might know kung fu. and then it's like a bad version of the iron fisted monkey. |
|
| | |
enjanerd
September 26, 2005 11:25 AM PDT
In that scenario, would you not be stealing from the elderly because you feel bad for them? Because you know that stealing is wrong, but the only time you feel bad is if it's from old people? Because you just don't think that stealing is wrong, in which case, why would it matter who you steal from? Or something else altogether?
I find that even if you base your principles on your feelings (which I think is a nice distinction you've made), it's going to be influenced by society or your community around you. Then, how do you differentiate between what you've learned and what you feel (or have learned to feel)? Just because you don't think something is wrong doesn't mean someone (parent, friend, sig. other, etc.) can't make you feel bad about it enough to make you learn to feel guilt when you're in that scenario (especially if it's not consciously learned). So, if it's learned guilt, is that society/morals or principles/feelings? |
|
