waybread
Well-known member
Poyi, if you mean me as your poor example, it is OK to go ahead and say so. I stand by everything I wrote, as well as my knowledge that led to my specific arguments.
You raise a good point about the value of defining morality. I have usually used the term ethics. I would only point out that an ethical society doesn't accept an individual morality template in cases where vulnerable people are likely to get hurt.
Speaking of the Bible, Jesus preached a radical ethics about care for the poor, widows, and orphans, as the vulnerable people of his day. He told people not to worry about the future, but to put their faith in God. He taught people to love one another, and to "turn the other cheek." What parts of the Bible do you think I haven't read or understood, insofar as it concerns death prediction?
We can trace the history of morality. In ancient Greece, slavery was perfectly legal, and men purchasing child slaves for sexual purposes was perfectly legal. But would you say this is OK today? If morality is a matter of personal conscience?
JA pointed out ongoing problems today in human trafficking. Just because some people justify profiting from this practice, that doesn't mean that you would condone the traffickers' sense of morality.
So probably you can accept that Australia needs to have moral codes not just for individuals, but for the society as a whole.
I think your post fits within the definition of cultural relativism. Yes, we do want to respect different cultures. But this doesn't mean we have to condone dictators' moral principles leading to human rights abuses.
Aren't you mistaking disagreement for disrespect? I can disagree with you without disrespecting you. I do respect you. I also disagree with some of your opinions.
If you disagree with me, does this mean that you do not respect me?
I suggest thinking through this issue.
So let me ask you a question. You've read through the entire thread. Brava. Given all of the potential risk to a querant asking for a death prediction on this forum, how would you personally justify it? Should a complete novice on a power-trip be able to predict death for a depressed teenager?
You raise a good point about the value of defining morality. I have usually used the term ethics. I would only point out that an ethical society doesn't accept an individual morality template in cases where vulnerable people are likely to get hurt.
Speaking of the Bible, Jesus preached a radical ethics about care for the poor, widows, and orphans, as the vulnerable people of his day. He told people not to worry about the future, but to put their faith in God. He taught people to love one another, and to "turn the other cheek." What parts of the Bible do you think I haven't read or understood, insofar as it concerns death prediction?
We can trace the history of morality. In ancient Greece, slavery was perfectly legal, and men purchasing child slaves for sexual purposes was perfectly legal. But would you say this is OK today? If morality is a matter of personal conscience?
JA pointed out ongoing problems today in human trafficking. Just because some people justify profiting from this practice, that doesn't mean that you would condone the traffickers' sense of morality.
So probably you can accept that Australia needs to have moral codes not just for individuals, but for the society as a whole.
I think your post fits within the definition of cultural relativism. Yes, we do want to respect different cultures. But this doesn't mean we have to condone dictators' moral principles leading to human rights abuses.
Aren't you mistaking disagreement for disrespect? I can disagree with you without disrespecting you. I do respect you. I also disagree with some of your opinions.
If you disagree with me, does this mean that you do not respect me?
I suggest thinking through this issue.
So let me ask you a question. You've read through the entire thread. Brava. Given all of the potential risk to a querant asking for a death prediction on this forum, how would you personally justify it? Should a complete novice on a power-trip be able to predict death for a depressed teenager?
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