Difference between revisions of "Morality"
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But morality is actually the basis for much of the law. | But morality is actually the basis for much of the law. | ||
Laws against theft, for example, are based on the idea that taking someone else's property is morally wrong. | Laws against theft, for example, are based on the idea that taking someone else's property is morally wrong. | ||
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| + | ==Morality based on religion== | ||
| + | Others see a close connection between morality and [[religion]]. As Thomas Brewton points out, things like the [[Ten Commandments]] or the [[Code of Hammurabi]] were sets of rules to establish moral behavior, enforced in the context of religion.<ref>The Conservative Voice: [http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/9332.html "Morality and Political Order"] by Thomas Brewton</ref> | ||
==Morality based on evolution== | ==Morality based on evolution== | ||
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As mass murderer [[Richard Dahmer]] said in an interview: | As mass murderer [[Richard Dahmer]] said in an interview: | ||
{{QuoteBox|If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then—then what’s the point of trying to modify your behaviour to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we, when we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing...<ref>Dahmer, Jeffrey, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC, 29th November, 1994 [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4145/105/]</ref>}} | {{QuoteBox|If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then—then what’s the point of trying to modify your behaviour to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we, when we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing...<ref>Dahmer, Jeffrey, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC, 29th November, 1994 [http://creationontheweb.com/content/view/4145/105/]</ref>}} | ||
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== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
Revision as of 15:40, May 29, 2008
Morality is a system of values placed upon certain actions and opinions. An example would be that some people think that the marriage of a man to another man is moral based on the principles of utilitarianism. However, others think that such a thing is immoral. Some people believe that marriage of any sort is amoral (without morality). Therefore, these people would have differing moral codes.
Morality versus law
Morality is distinct from the law, which is, or should be, based on morality. Slavery, for example, was once legal in many places, but is now illegal, because people had the law changed because they considered slavery immoral.
Many people argue that the law should not be used to enforce morality. But morality is actually the basis for much of the law. Laws against theft, for example, are based on the idea that taking someone else's property is morally wrong.
Morality based on religion
Others see a close connection between morality and religion. As Thomas Brewton points out, things like the Ten Commandments or the Code of Hammurabi were sets of rules to establish moral behavior, enforced in the context of religion.[1]
Morality based on evolution
Some biologists argue that morality grew out of behavioral rules shaped by evolution. They see social behaviors displayed by some primates as the precursors of human morality. They cite examples such as rhesus monkeys which, when given a chance to get food by pulling a chain that delivers a shock to another monkey, have been known to starve themselves for a considerable time.[2]
Dr. Frans de Waal argues that primates are social animals, and must constrain their behavior in order to live in a group. He maintains that these constraints have shaped behaviors from which human morality has emerged. He does not assert that chimpanzees are moral, but argues that emotional bases that can be observed among primates are the foundation for the evolution of human morality.
He points to the display of both empathy and self-awareness among apes, and asserts that human morality begins with a similar concern for others and the understanding of social rules about the treatment of others. [3]
However, these arguments presume evolution to be true. It could equally be argued that God created such creates to act in a way that we would consider moral.
Evolution actually provides no basis for morality:
Jaron Lanier: ‘There’s a large group of people who simply are uncomfortable with accepting evolution because it leads to what they perceive as a moral vacuum, in which their best impulses have no basis in nature.’
Richard Dawkins: ‘All I can say is, That’s just tough. We have to face up to the truth.[4]
Morality based on Atheism
The basis of morality for atheists is their own opinion. Bertrand Russell, for example, said that his opinions on right and wrong were based on his feelings.[5]
In practice, they may adopt the morality of the society they grew up with, which in the case of the Western society is generally one with a Christian heritage. Richard Dawkins said, "I’m a passionate Darwinian when it comes to science, when it comes to explaining the world, but I’m a passionate anti-Darwinian when it comes to morality and politics".[6]
Although Atheism provides no basis for absolute morality, this does not mean that atheists cannot be moral people. Rather, it does mean that atheism itself provides no moral boundaries to constrain the actions of people. As mass murderer Richard Dahmer said in an interview:
If a person doesn’t think there is a God to be accountable to, then—then what’s the point of trying to modify your behaviour to keep it within acceptable ranges? That’s how I thought anyway. I always believed the theory of evolution as truth, that we all just came from the slime. When we, when we died, you know, that was it, there is nothing...[7]
Bibliography
- Morris, Grantley, A History Professor’s Criticism of My Webpage.
- Sarfati, Jonathan, Bomb-building vs. the biblical foundation, 24th December 2004 and 2nd December 2008. (Creation Ministries International)
References
- ↑ The Conservative Voice: "Morality and Political Order" by Thomas Brewton
- ↑ "Primates and Philosophers" by Frans de Waal
- ↑ New York Times: "Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior"
- ↑ 'Evolution: The dissent of Darwin,’ Psychology Today 30(1):62, January/February 1997, quoted in Creation 20(3):44, June 1998.
- ↑ Sarfati, 2004 & 2008.
- ↑ The Science Show, ABC Radio, 22nd January, 2000, quoted by Walker, Tas., National emergency in Australia, 29th June, 2007. (Creation Ministries International)
- ↑ Dahmer, Jeffrey, in an interview with Stone Phillips, Dateline NBC, 29th November, 1994 [1]