This isn't an attack on any religious groups, first and foremost.
(debate of religion is futile)
It just seems to me that people are so quick to tie together religion and morals. I don't believe that non-religious folks cannot have strong morals or ethical fiber or believe that the religious are of highest morality.
So what do you think...do you believe that you only hold your ideals because of your denomination or that you don't have any for lack there of? Do you think some political views are immoral based on your personal beliefs? Does your own intelligence or common sense play into the morals you have?
2007-07-31 07:23:38 · 5 answers · asked by mrsNO 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I believe morality comes from the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Its the part of the brain that recieves extra bloodflow when people put themselves in the place of someone elses experience. Its where empathy comes from. Any moral systems that are based around rewards or punishments outside of the consequences of our actions are a perversion of human morality.
2007-07-31 08:32:50 · answer #1 · answered by renegadephilosopher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The very concept of morality implies that there is a right way to be and a wrong way to be. If a person believes in God and practices a religion, then the teachings of God would have a powerful influence on the person's understanding of right and wrong.
Many great saints - pre-eminent among them, St. Thomas Aquinas - strove mightily to demonstrate that faith and reason are not mutually exclusive. In other words, it is possible to be convinced of a moral teaching, not only because it comes from your religious tradition, but because it makes sense logically.
2007-07-31 14:59:40 · answer #2 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, indeed... you need direction... because without direction you can go in full 360 in any way in this universe... humans arent dumb... the generation now and all the generations before have compiled most their life experiences together as "knowlege". theyve figured out what works and what dont work in this world thats why they have created set of rules for living aka laws. i personally do not know how long ago humans started to believe in religion but i think religion was their "laws" back then... same as today. laws, religion, morals have a common ground together... all of them teach you to do good (in an ideal world... to do good with no strings attached)
2007-07-31 14:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well humans in general are guided by an inherent moral sense.That is out conscience.
Is it enough., though, to be directed only by 'natural instinct' when we try to decide what is right and wrong?
As you personally may have observed, human history is studed with the failures of individuals and groups.This has convinced many that we need direction from a higher source in order to establish the best values to live by.
2007-07-31 14:37:03 · answer #4 · answered by IslandOfApples 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question centers on the foundations of our morality.
The unbeliever doing a good deed does it for what reason? 1 Love of the imagined praise of others.
2 Fear of criticism if the good deed isn't done.
3 Habit
4 Love of the other possible benefits such as gaining the trust of others and the future rewards that can bring.
These motivating factors are all superficial at best and self serving at the worst.
2007-07-31 15:26:01 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋