Our ideas of what we consider right and wrong have been pretty much universally consistent throughout human history. Where did we get our ideas of morality if God didn't instill them in us from the beginning?
2007-03-01 11:51:40 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jason, I disagree. Just talk to 10 people about a subject like capital punishment, stem cell research, the necessity of war, abortion, etc. You will get VERY different answers. So then, if we all have a conscience that tells us right from wrong, why do those consciences tell us different things? One person is as certain they are right as another.
2007-03-01 12:00:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well they have not been universally consistent.
What about Slavery? Even the bible says slavery is OK. Is it?
What about the age of consent for marriage and sexual activity? Is that consistent?
Ideas of morality come from human compassion which COULD BE a genetic survival trait which that keeps members of a species from destroying each other (and the gene pool) when resources are limited.
2007-03-01 19:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are explained by humans being a social animal and our protective drive towards that social group. Much like a wolf pack but more advanced (though not much more!). This is because the social group - not the individual is the important element in continued survival. Also- what is called "theory of mind" - which is here we get empathy from - that is - the ability to judge anothers feeelings in respose to a situation. It is actualy a complex and much studied area that there is not enough space to go in to here. It's interesting though so read up on it!
2007-03-01 19:59:00 · answer #3 · answered by Tirant 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Moral constucts like sacrificing for the group, dying for someone in our group, mourning the death of someone, and more basic ones like don't wanonly kill members of the group are seen in many creatures on the planet: dolphins, elephants, whales and even dogs.
Where did humans get it from? Hundreds of thousands of years of building. Societies that "valued" things like murdering others at random, pooping upstream, lying and stealing, would die out. Since "life seeks life," evolution rewarded those societies that valued life.
(In addition, our ideas of "right and wrong" haven't remained constant. Some societies (Sparta) rewarded theft. Many societies accept infanticide as a matter of course.)
It's a short explanation to a long idea, but I need to put this pizza in the oven.
2007-03-01 19:58:25 · answer #4 · answered by Haiku Hanna 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Right or Wrong is whatever we have made it mean. Every person has created and/or gave meaning to right and wrong based solely upon something that happened in their life. Consider this example: children are taught it is wrong to do drugs. But what about the child whose parents do drugs? What do you suppose drugs mean to this child? Right or wrong? Isn't is possible this child grows up advocating Marijuana intending it's use as right?
Anyhow, great question!
2007-03-01 20:16:02 · answer #5 · answered by nmyopinion 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Instinct, intuition, empathy, common sense and experience. It stands to reason that what I wouldn't enjoy someone doing towards me is also what I shouldn't do towards others. I realise that the bible suggests something along those lines, but it is also common sense and the rules of Karma too.
Despite what christians think about non-believers, the world really is made up of mostly people who want to get along regardless of personal beliefs.
2007-03-01 20:04:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not know, however, for those who say they just live by The "Golden" Rule" FYI it is a partial translation of a statement made by Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:12 when he said "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
2007-03-01 20:05:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ROTFLMAO!!!
Oh thanks SO much for the laugh. This statement especially "Our ideas of what we consider right and wrong have been pretty much universally consistent throughout human history." was not only utterly stupid, but brilliantly so!
Congrats, you've lowered the collective IQ of everyone on this board...
2007-03-01 19:57:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Every person of sound mind instinctively knows right from wrong. Basically wrong is defined as doing harm to anyone or anything. Selfishness is the reason for wrongdoing.
2007-03-01 19:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
1. You can't prove God doesn't exist.
2. Who else, society itself. Even if inspired by the divine, the bible was still penned by man, and was naturally influenced by the morality of his day.
2007-03-01 19:56:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋