why do we need moral values?

Answer 1

We don't "need" moral values. Moral values is just a label for how we see fit to conduct ourselves with and among others.

The only way to be without morality is to stray from a standard set of morals. However, there is no ultimate standard of morality. Morality is not black and white.

What we consider to be the moral standard is inevitably what we conceive to be the best and most efficient way to live with and amongst each other.

This naturally appears harmonious rather than chaotic. That is, however, a matter of opinion. In reality, because of the laws that govern our universe, true chaos cannot exist.

Answer 2

Your insistence upon a purely subjective and relative ethic opens the door to moral abuse and no way to make cross-cultural value judgments of a moral nature. For example, if ethics are merely subjective and relative to the individual, and by extension, to that individual's culture, then how can 1990s American culture consider the extermination of 6 million Jews by 1940s German culture to be a moral abomination? One culture cannot judge another culture's morality, unless the basis for ethics transcends the individual and cultures. This of course limits human freedom but not in a negative sense. Unrestrained moral choices and actions would lead to anarchy and moral chaos.

Each person is left to determine for themselves what values there are, if any.

Sounds tolerant, but results in moral impotency. If I am left to determine if there are any values, then if I choose that African Americans are sub-human, and then choose to exercise my moral choice in the expression of violence against this group, this is morally "true" for me. You may not like it because that is not your moral value, but please don't force your values on me. (Sound familiar?)

I think that's better than having someone accept values by blind faith. Not having an external prescription for ethics and morality doesn't leave people at sea without a compass. There's loads of cultural pressures to dissuade against complete

A theistic basis for values is not to be equated with blind faith. There are many fine philosophical works dealing with metaethical arguments for an objective absolute ethic. And I think it can be validly argued that relativistic ethics does indeed lead to a morality that is not truly liveable in daily life. Moral relativists often decry moral absolutes, but they then turn around and live their lives as if they existed.

Answer 3

Moral values shows that we have a more of a spirit, when it comes to morals. This shows that we care more.

Answer 4

Society needs for us to have them in order to maintain an orderly society. It is really a system of behavior control. Good behavior is praised and bad behavior punished. Most people are controlled in this way and it is not really moral values.

Answer 5

Heck Elton K could you imagine the government without moral values? It would be pandemonium!

Answer 6

Because if we didn't we wouldn't know right from wrong and the world would be chaos. Everyone has their own moral standards.

Answer 7

Are they the mark of a civilised society? To keep some sort of harmony and minimise conflict.

Answer 8

because if we dont have them we all end up acting like bill clinton...

- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court
do you really want those types of qualities in people you associate with?

Answer 9

If we didn't we would be no better than animals. We would eventually destroy eachother and ourselves. Funny, that seems to be happening now, doesnt it?

Answer 10

To enable us to live together.