Do you trust people to create their own morality?

Answer 1

Interesting question. I hope this is an interesting answer.

In ancient times, my answer would be 'no.' There were few forms of honest justice- No police forces, few enforced laws, and little means of society regulating itself. The immoral temptation must have been huge, and the option to make an immoral career for oneself was probably a viable option.

Today, however, we have laws in place and suitable prosecution and enforcement of those laws to allow for one to choose their own destiny with the balance clearly tilted toward a moral success.

For instance, if debating whether to be a career criminal or not, the odds are good you will fail and your life will be miserable. This is not a good choice and there is little chance for success.

So, it makes much more sense to consider a career in a legitimate profession, working hard to succeed and not having to worry about being prosecuted for misdeeds. Within the legal system framework, success is the goal and doing so with a legitimate career path is a good and solid choice.

Knowing this is the case, it's easier for people to create their own morality within the framework of our modern society. If no one gets hurt, there's few limits on what society is willing to accept as 'moral.' In fact, our modern American society is still debating the acceptable morality of some things which would not or could not even be considered immoral in the past....

Things like non-smoking, or motorcycle helmet laws, or medical marijuana are all hotly-debated morality issues today, but they seem quite tame when compared to hot-button issues of earlier decades. I feel this is a refelction of our constantly-evolving society. If we honestly spend time and money debating what one can do to oneself, we must be in a fairly comfortable position overall. Major issues such as crime, hate, racism, sexism and the like have all been debated and society has made up its mind about these things and how to deal with them.

So, overall, I'd answer your question by saying yes- I do trust modern people to create their own morality...because if they make the wrong choices, our society's laws are there to correct them.

Answer 2

No, morality is universal not individual. Yes there is a universal objective morality. How do we get the idea of what immorality is? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.

1. The moral law is undeniable.
2. We know it by our reactions.
3. It is the basis of human rights.
4. It is the unchanging standard of justice.
5. It defines a real difference between moreal positions (e.g., Mother Teresa vs. Hitler)
6. Since we know what's absolutely wrong there must be an absolute standard of rightness.
7. The moral law is the grounds for political and social dissent.
8. If there were no moral law then we would make excuses for violating it.

So the moral law definitely exists. Murder is just as wrong here as it is in Englad. It's just as wrong now as it was 100 years ago.

Answer 3

Morality is an inherent human concept. Every culture owns that some things are basically wrong, these are known in legal terms as "mala in se". In a sense that means we already have our own basic sense of morality.

I think as long as your system of morality is representative of the general human spirit and you remain true to it, it is vastly preferable to merely following an established faith and claiming spiritual purity by simply being part of it.

A lot of people claim to be Christian in British society because it is tradition. They do not truly practise the faith or embody its virtues and only pay lip service to its few rituals and festivals. Someone who has actually thought about what they really believe and formed a theory of their own spirituality must surely have a more considered viewpoint.

I personally follow a moral system intrinsic to every religion - live your life as best you can and do not harm others. I came to this decision after much thought and it does guide my life. I think as soon as you start adding caveats or complications to this you lose your way. Who needs a hundred commandments if you are secretly thinking "except me" or "Well does it really matter if I eat meat on a Friday?

Ultimately, every religion starts with a pioneering person who has a good idea. The rest is just popular acclamation. Is it better to trust that person who may have lived in another age and another culture, whose words may have been corrupted by the motives of others, to define how you live your life? I think Shakespeare's Polonius had it right when he imparted this advice - "This above all, to thine own self be true". More and more people are finding their own relationship to the divine and their own sense of morality. Better to have your own moral code than to have nothing governing your life.

Answer 4

Yes but they can only learn by example if they are to have good morals.Trouble is what is good for one is not for another.People could let their conscience be their guide.Trouble is if they don't have a conscience that would not work.Sitting in judgement of other peoples morals is something we are all guilty of and yet we can all be hypocritical when it comes to ourselves.This was an interesting Question which made me really think.

Answer 5

Yes, if they are given the right information to start with. By that I mean, having a good upbringing, being educated, listening to their own individuals consciences, etc.
Many people are moral and decent people without all of the religious rhetoric.

Answer 6

Depends what you mean......as in good morality and well thought out or someone who hides behind religion and has very suspect moral values in a double life. have no respect for these types....

Answer 7

No - society creates "morality".

Answer 8

Some do some dont... ie those who are nice but sleep around are moral...


ie a nice hooker is more moral then a mean nun

Answer 9

Everyone has their own morality.

What is important is their power. To what extent are they able to enforce that morality on others.

Answer 10

If you're talking about the Reverand Ted Haggerd, then yes.