If there is no such thing as the metaphysical...?

Question

Why would man adhere to a moral code or live in conformity with the rules of society? Would not chaos or at least existentialism dominate human existance? Withoumoral absolutes... doesn't anything go?

Answer 1

In theory, we COULD do whatever we wanted if there were no moral absolutes.

In practice, we have what we refer to as the "social contract" -- a group of rules and principles that we as a society generally agree to in order to get along with each other and so we aren't constantly at each other's throats. We behave in a moral fashion, not because some Invisible Sky Daddy™ told us to, but so we can tolerate each others' presence and to avoid reprisals from those we may have done wrong to.

Answer 2

You need to define what you mean by "the metaphysical".... metaphysics is often described as a study of the nature and structure of reality, but I suspect you're referring to a higher being.

To answer your question as I think you've intended it...

God is a man-made concept based on what's called an absolute (or assumptive) truth. Science, on the other hand, relies on what are called relative truths. All religions are based on an assumptive truth that there is a god. Everything then follows from that. Note that man invents gods (and then believes in them!).

It doesn't follow that if there isn't a god, then moral values don't exist. Buddhism and some of the eastern philosphies don't have a god, but still are geared towards morality.

If you're interested in an extensive overview of metaphysics and morality, read "Lila" by Robert M. Pirsig. He nails it. He presents a metaphysical structure which shows that morality is an evolutionary condition.

Answer 3

People adhere to their local moral code etc. because they are taught to as they are growing up. The western code is:-
Don't steal, unless you think that you can get away with it.
You don't have to lie ever, you just spin your point of view, redefine words to suit yourself, etc..
Don't kill anybody, no matter how much you hate them, you probably don't have the guts to face the guilt and/or the consequences of getting caught. Just ruin them if you can.
Never cheat anybody, just "do" business with them.
That kinky sex thing, if you're into it, DON'T GET CAUGHT!
I could go on...but I think that I made my point and if you are honest with yourself you KNOW that this is really how the world is.. So....where is the metaphysical in all this?

Answer 4

There is one moral code-do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Anything else is superfluous. The Buddha probably had insights into universal purpose that most people couldn't imagine but he made clear that his goal was solely to end suffering here and now not dwell on metaphysics. We should do the same.

Answer 5

No. "Morals" are not a condition that exists only in humans. Moral codes of conduct exist in all social animal groups. "morals" are and evolutionary adaptation to ensure survival of the species. If a species that is communal and social does not have "morals" they would find it very difficult to survive.

Answer 6

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=

P,S.: None of this has anything to do with 'metaphysics'... get thee to a dictionary.

Answer 7

there are three ways to gain control in a society -- the military- the political - Religion. when these people in control are doing their jobs properly the society prospers and control is maintained when they fail to produce the desired results others take over and their power is lost to the next group.

Answer 8

It's called learning from history...

You learn "hot" from either touching something that was hot and/or from another teaching you.

You learn what actions cause positive/negative reactions in the exact same way.

It's pretty simple!

Answer 9

*Sigh*
Do monkeys and lions have absolute chaos in their societies with no belief in god? Or have they found some way to get along with some violent flare-ups now and then.... EXACTLY LIKE HUMANS!!!

Answer 10

I never heard of it