What Is Morality? - Page 3

michaelr · 05-16-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

Can you cite an example? If you're alone in a room, what can you do that is "good" or "evil?"

Stealing!!!!!!!!!

Djinn · 05-16-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

Stealing!!!!!!!!!

Stealing what? You're alone, in a room. There is no one to steal from.

Try again.

michaelr · 05-16-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

Stealing what? You're alone, in a room. There is no one to steal from.

Try again.

If your in a room alone matters not, stealing anything from that room does.

Djinn · 05-16-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

If your in a room alone matters not, stealing anything from that room does.

My point is that if you are isolated from society, then acts of "good" and "evil" are impossible.

You are suggesting that there are objects in the room that belong to others. If there are "others," then you are a part of a society, and are no longer isolated.

If the isolation factor is maintained, then as I said, acts of "good" and "evil" are impossible.

michaelr · 05-16-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

My point is that if you are isolated from society, then acts of "good" and "evil" are impossible.

You are suggesting that there are objects in the room that belong to others. If there are "others," then you are a part of a society, and are no longer isolated.

If the isolation factor is maintained, then as I said, acts of "good" and "evil" are impossible.

How about doing something that you know is wrong? Have you ever lied to yourself?

Djinn · 05-16-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

How about doing something that you know is wrong? Have you ever lied to yourself?

Can you cite an example? An example that doesn't require breaking one's isolation?

Don't forget, there's a difference between "doing things that are unwise," and "doing things that are evil." For example, in the isolated room, one can bang one's head against the wall until it bleeds. This is both unhealthy and unwise, but not "evil."

michaelr · 05-16-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djinn

Can you cite an example? An example that doesn't require breaking one's isolation?

Don't forget, there's a difference between "doing things that are unwise," and "doing things that are evil." For example, in the isolated room, one can bang one's head against the wall until it bleeds. This is both unhealthy and unwise, but not "evil."

I have ask you if you ever lied to yourself.

Djinn · 05-16-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

I have ask you if you ever lied to yourself.

Sure. But that's not necessarily evil. If you're alone in the room, and you "lie to yourself" by convincing yourself that you're actually having a good time, is that really ... "evil?"

Burning Giraffe · 05-16-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feslin

Okay, now tell me, what makes an action wrong?

I'm not sure what you're confused about. This is what I said, "Something is morally wrong when it is in contradiction to either a principle of an ethical code or if it subverts an intended consequence promoted by an ethical philosophy".

OrdinaryGuy · 05-16-2008, 05:50 PM

I am not sure what morality is. Perhaps some of the other forum members can enlighten me. However, if I were to put in my own words what morality is, I would say it is a practice in life in which we find ways to genuinely benefit others while putting our own benefit last. Anything else, I guess, would not be considered moral. What do the forum members think of this definition?