Non-socially imposed morals

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by jps, Feb 5, 2003.

  1. jps Valued Senior Member

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    1,872
    The issue of whether or not having a total lack of moral values would make one crazy in the eyes of society really isn't relevant here,
    If you genuinely would do as you said in that situation without any qualms about it, and would behave in that way in any situation, meaning that you will be willing to cause as much death and destruction as you can get away with if its in your own interest, then thats all well and good. I just hope I never run into you.
    I have to say I doubt that this is true of you or anyone else though.
     
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  3. Mrhero54 Registered Senior Member

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    If chains are to be worn, why not your own?
     
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  5. bold standard Registered Senior Member

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    I replaced socially imposed morals with rationally imposed morals. Replaced altruism with rational egoism. Read The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand. This solved many problems for me. I've become much more consistent and benevolent. Don't base your moral code on hypothetical emergencies, base it on real life. It's possible to be practical and ideological and maintain integrity. It's possible to opperate under a rational code of morality based on life on earth, and if you do this you don't need to compromise on any moral principles ever.
     
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  7. Dr Lou Natic Unnecessary Surgeon Registered Senior Member

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    We(me included) have been so brainwashed from society's morals that it would be difficult to decipher a logical set.
    We would need to observe a plethera of species whose sets of morals have a proven-over-time efficiency before we could come up with a list suitable for us that will work over the long term.
     
  8. bold standard Registered Senior Member

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    77
    That's interesting, I don't think I ever was brainwashed by society's morals. As an adolescent I was mostly just confused and frustrated by them, but I did in some instances accept aspects of altruism on faith, which indeed proved to be extreemly impractical and inimical to my life to the degree I would apply them consistently.
    I think historically there is a strong case for rational egoism, though it's only been defined consistently in the 20th century.
     
  9. blankc Your superior Registered Senior Member

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    300
    If all societally imposed morals were to disseapear tommorow, then I don't think civilization would last more than a month. And if you look at all the benefits that our species has gained and will gain from civilization than they are worth it. There is probably only a certain percentage of people who can be morally deviant(from normal, not from natural) before it spreads and the majority will change. I believe that the moral-like traits ingrained genetically is best for me. And having a society with it's current morals furthers our species, and has some inherent exploitable weaknesses for my personal gain. And as a follower of my genetic imperative, anything that aids in the spread and replication of my DNA is good, and extended the survival of my species is also a good thing( very similar DNA). And because of my belief that our society can only handle soo many deviants (as I am a selfconfessed member) that I constantly attempt to dissuade others from abandonning, or not gaining, societal morals and beliefs. And also, others without civ-friendly morals are also ussually tougher competition. You may have noticed how outraged I act sometimes here, well that is merely a guilt tactic to convert people to, and prevent the exiting from, moral systems that benefit me. And also why I don't respect Xev as much as you folk, she seems to have great propensity at removing traditional morals from many who come in contact with her, and whether she does it on purpose or not, it is counterproductive to my aims for the sheep to wake up.

    Whew, not the most easily navigable paragraph, but it's late.

    P.S. Don't spread the word about my little charade, I shouldn't really even let it out, but I evaluate the impact of this message board on RL as negligble, so I'll chance it

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  10. bold standard Registered Senior Member

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    77
    Every rational creature (human) follows a code of morality, whether conscious of it or not. If socially impossed morals were replaced by amoralism, you're right, civilization would be destroyed. But amoralism is a code of morality. Just an evil one (using human life as the standard for good and evil). However, if all societally imposed morals were to dissappear and be replaced, not with amoralism, but rational egoism, civilization would not be destroyed, but would flourish unlike any period so far in history. Rational selfishness is the root of all benevolence.

    For an example of what happens when societally imposed morals are replaced by altruism, look at the disasters of Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany.
     
  11. gonzo Registered Member

    Messages:
    5
    Moral
    Noun
    1. The lesson or principle contained in or taught by a fable, a story, or an event. 2. A concisely expressed precept or general truth; a maxim. 3. morals Rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong: a person of loose morals; a decline in the public morals.




    A moral is created for a reason. To live in a productive society there must be limits, no matter how free it claims to be. The important question is when and if these lessons need to be changed.

    So what if we went back to the days where survival was the most important trait. At one point a group of people got together and decided what was right or wrong. It filled the needs of the time, and a lot still does. But was helping others and being "civil" truly the ideals that will let humankind live on indefinitely into the future? What about overpopulation, depleting resources, pollution, etc? Maybe as a whole we'd last longer with survival of the fittest?
     
  12. Squashbuckler Registered Senior Member

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    194
    In response to...Marquis?

    "I've taken a while to answer this because it's not an easy question to answer. After thinking about it, I've come to the conclusion that I don't really operate under a moral system, but rather do what I believe is best for me at the time. "

    everything you do is based on an internal judgement and analysis of the situation. Everyone operates under a set system of values, even if they dont know it.You do have a moral system, your morale system decides what it is your going to do. Whats best for you is decided by your values and beliefs.
    imo.

    Mark
     
  13. Squashbuckler Registered Senior Member

    Messages:
    194
    Re: Re: Non-socially imposed morals

     

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