Is right and wrong a totally subjective concept that is determined by those with the most power to set the standards for everyone else?
2006-10-01 15:08:13 · 13 answers · asked by nobodiesinc 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, right and wrong is set by society.
2006-10-01 15:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
What is right and wrong is generally determined by the society one is raised in. Many cultures have similar sets of right and wrong to say, America, but with different emphasis on different things for different reasons. There are also cultures for whom piracy is a perfectly honorable occupation, where theft is merely an annoyance, or netting the death penalty for stealing another man's water. There really isn't a "best" system of right and wrong...but generally what is good and healthy for a population is considered "good" and things that are hurtful to a population is considered "bad."
The ancient Aztecs practiced human sacrifice to appease their dangerous gods. However, the frowned rather sternly on murder. If you were to meet an ancient Aztec, and could understand them, you'd e surprised how much you might have in common with them. And probably both be mutually appalled by some of the differences.
2006-10-01 22:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A moral code can evolve based on what people feel is fair rather than just being imposed from on high The enforcement of this code, however, may well require some sort of hierarchical society, where judgments (punishments?) for transgressors need to be administered and the rules modified and updated from time to time.
All of this is best done without religion. Religious law often borders on righteous cruelty.
2006-10-01 22:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by Bart S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is usually those in the highest position of a group, be it religion, business, or family. Some one else has to tell us it's wrong, before we know it is wrong. Otherwise we wouldn't ever have thought it to be wrong. Take sex for example. Some sects believe it to be sinful. And others think it is a beautiful act. At some point some one had to tell them which in order to shape their beliefs on the subject.
2006-10-01 22:18:38 · answer #4 · answered by leafrogger 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you saying you are incapable of determining right from wrong using your mind? How else would you do it. Clearly not from a 2000 year old book condoning rape and slavery. How does your god determine right from wrong, Is it arbitrary or does he base right from wrong on logical reasons? If god bases right from wrong on logical reasons then your arguement fails, we don't need a middleman. If he just arbitrarily decides what is right and wrong then it is subjective, isn't it.
2006-10-01 22:27:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
something is right and wrong bcuz there IS A GOD who set standards. just look it up in exodus. he gave moses the 10 commandments. also, it can be a totaly subjective concept because we do make rules over periods of time
2006-10-01 22:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by blank 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whenever I see a question like this, I am appalled to be reminded that there are people out there who are so out of touch with their basic humanity, and reality, that they would not have any idea how to conduct themselves in society, absent the code of an imaginary supernatural being, based on the myths, superstitions, fairy tales and fantastical delusions of an ignorant bunch of Bronze Age fishermen and wandering goat herders.
Cooperation, altruism and love are innate properties of human existence... a more sophisticated version of the social organization that you can see among pods of dolphins or orcas, packs of wolves, lion prides and troops of chimpanzees. Moral consensus, moral conscience and mutual empathy are evolved survival traits. These are social constructs... the social lubrication that allows people to exist together. People come away with the misconception that they don't exist, absent religion. The religious puppet masters try to perpetuate that idea, in order to protect their conduits to wealth and power... but that is a canard. This has to do, entirely, with human nature.
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"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." ~ Steven Weinberg
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Richard Dawkins - The Root of All Evil Part 2.1 (moral behavior)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mGLPViVW5ms
Richard Dawkins - The Root of All Evil Part 2.6 (evolution basis for morality)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mGLPViVW5ms&mode=related&search=
2006-10-01 22:17:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right and wrong are defined by the social contract.
2006-10-01 22:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by Michael 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somethings are obviously wrong. if there were no wrong, there would be no right. and somethings are obviously right. so if there was no right there would be no wrong. Confused? Okay trust the authorities.
2006-10-01 22:14:44 · answer #9 · answered by longroad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question - it's funny how people get offended when they are the ones who are the victim.
2006-10-01 22:17:34 · answer #10 · answered by Gladiator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋