2006-10-21 19:01:41 · 22 answers · asked by taotemu 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Behavior. I suppose behavior is at least partially based on beliefs. One's feelings and thoughts are not necessarily controllable. And one should have the right to believe, feel and think what s/he will (at least privately). Behavior is what has an effect on others and what is observable and measurable. One might think about stealing money, one might feel like stealing money, one might believe that stealing is wrong. But the actual behavior is most important. If one chooses NOT to steal, that is a part of a moral life.
My two cents worth anyway....
2006-10-21 19:51:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most important thing here is behavior, but only if you really feel and believe your action is for the greater good. One cannot judge another person or put themself above anothers belief. Also trivial acts of kindness are not moral either. Giving $5 to a homeless man might make you feel like a good person, but that was just one day in that mans life. You should try to help the man until he can find a place that will take him in and care for him. But that involves too much time for most people, so then they just give the guy $20 bucks and hope they never see him again.
2006-10-22 02:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by rob207 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as morality goes... beliefs have nothing to do with anything to the effect. Your feelings will help you understand yourself so that may help a bit. Your thoughts are going to be a necessity so you can sort through everything, and your behavior should be a reflection of the last two so it as well is a part of morality.
2006-10-22 03:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Reverend 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first three lead to the resulted behavior. For instance, does it matter what religion someone is, or if they have any religion at all? Isn't it possible that a person born in America, Uganda, China, or Chile may have the same set of moral values that guide them to a high moral life. Compassion, integrity, honesty, generousity, and kindness are what mark the quality of humanity.
Conversely, the dark side of humanity finds itself woven into the fabric of society abroad as well. Greed, lust, and a thirst for power also permiate all of these regions, some by men posing as moral figures.
It is the altruistic action that leads to morality. Opening a door for someone with their arms full is a simple but kind gesture that we all know is the right thing to do. But do we do it, or laugh as they struggle to open the door themselves?
2006-10-22 02:30:14 · answer #4 · answered by Russ C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is like asking the question "which part of a bridge is most important: the beginning, the middle or the end?" A moral life must begin with a clear apprehension of Truth, but then Truth must be adhered to, and this is the proper understanding of real Faith - not merely an intellectual grasp of Truth but Faithful adherence to it; bringing the thoughts of the heart and mind and feelings into subjection to the Truth to the end that the Will, the governing principle in Man makes right choices resulting in proper conduct.
2006-10-22 02:21:21 · answer #5 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Behavior is by far the most important part. beliefs help spur the behavior but faith without works is dead. Have you ever said "I have a bad feeling about this" and went ahead and did it any way. Same concept as beliefs. The most important thing is to just walk your talk.
2006-10-22 02:24:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morality is in the eye of the beholder. Whats a moral life to one may not be a moral life in the eyes of another so the answer would have to be all of the above or none of the above. In my opinion morality is a set of beliefs in what you believe is right and wrong and behaving accordingly.
2006-10-22 02:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by sweetkooky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How we behave, more importantly how treat our fellow humans, determines if we live a moral life. Behavior is the outward manifestation of thought. We can believe in any noble philosophy or religion, but if we don't bring those teachings from the inner world of our thoughts into the outer physical world of action and apply them to how we treat others, our beliefs are essentially nothing more than thoughts. That is not to say thoughts are unimportant. For example, when our thoughts are less than noble, when we are not noble, yet we force ourselves to behave towards others with nobility, that act brings us closer to being noble. That act in turn affects others around us and how they treat us in return. There is a reciprocal relationship between the individual and society in which individual action contributes to shaping the society, and the collective actions of society in turn shape the individual. Behavior, the outward expression of thought, determines the quality of that relationship.
2006-10-22 02:38:10 · answer #8 · answered by jaicee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All are important, and we should have a good balance of all.
I think beliefs may hold greater importance, because our beliefs should guide or feelings, thoughts, and behavior to do what is right.
2006-10-22 02:58:23 · answer #9 · answered by star22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beliefs have little to do with morality, feelings influence thoughts and thoughts constitue behavior.
2006-10-22 02:10:32 · answer #10 · answered by The Voice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋