Platt --
Looks to me like you are proponent of moral relativism. Right?
Absolutely! It's the only way we can have free choice.
Morality is a concept of rational behavior devised by man to promote harmony
in a collective society. A moral system is a set of mores or conventions
whereby individuals can work amicably toward mutually desired goals,
shunning or ostracizing those who refuse to abide by its principles of
"right" and "wrong".
There is nothing "absolute" or universal about morality, as can be seen by
studying alien cultures. Because one man's goodness may be another man's
idiosyncrasy, a moral code of some kind is efficacious in ensuring the
assimilation of all participants. This is as true of street gangs as it is
of bridge clubs and fraternities. Morality is what establishes the social
order of any human group.
Values are either desirable or undesirable to a subject. They become
"right" or "wrong" only when they lead to behavior that supports or
undermines the collective goal. So that a measure of conformity is the
price paid for joining a group.
I believe I made the suggestion previously, but you really should read Steve
Eddington's "Confessions of a Moral Relativist" which I've archived at
http://www.essentialism.net/confessions.htm. (Eddington is the Unitarian
minister who coined the word "choicemaker" as a definition for man.)
Here's an extract to show his reasoning:
"Morality, values, and ethics are not just important, they are essential to
human survival and well being. This is why we have them and why they have
evolved, albeit in a rather halting fashion, over the course of human
history. Moral relativism is the recognition of this simple truth: That
morality is of human origin and has evolved along with humanity itself for
the sake of human survival and human well being; and therefore-as I view
it-has a certain sacred quality about it for that reason alone. A moral
relativist is one who recognizes the broad moral and ethical values and
precepts that have served the cause of humanity over the course of human
history, and who seeks to apply those values and principles in whatever
personal, or social, or socio-political situation it is that calls for moral
decision making."
One more point that must be emphasized: If Goodness were absolute (or fixed)
there would be no need for morality, since it would be impossible to choose
the alternative. And choosing values is what human existence is all about.
Happy St. Patrick's to you, too, Platt.
--Ham
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