Often, discussions about morality seem to be centered around our actions, as opposed to thoughts or feelings. When can we say that thoughts or feelings are immoral?
I am interested in hearing what you think. I welcome and encourage responders from all philosophies and religions.
The best answer will be awarded to the most thoughtful and well-explained response. (My selection of best answer will have nothing to do with my personal beliefs about this question.)
2007-08-21 00:53:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thoughts and feelings immoral? Yes. We are judged by our actions but motive is a key factor. If you feel that you hate someone and would love to see them dead then I believe that is an immoral thought/feeling. When being judge in a court usually a solid motive (thought/feeling) behind a crime is a deciding factor for a jury. If they see you think/feel a certain way towards the defendant then it makes it easier to decide as to whether you are guilty or not as oppose to there being NO motive at all. There are other immoral feelings but that is just an example of one. So to answer your question, yes I believe feelings/thoughts can be immoral.
2007-08-21 01:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think thoughts or feelings are moral or immoral in the same way that actions are. Any thought or feeling is immoral if the corresponding action would be deemed immoral. Christ tells us that thinking about adultery is as bad as engaging in adultery, for instance.
Thoughts and feelings can become obsessions or uncontrollable and get a person into trouble. Look at Hitler's thoughts about Jewish people. Look at Jeffrey Dahmer's thoughts about cannibalism. Look at Osama Bin Laden's thoughts about God.
Fortunately for us, no human can read our thoughts. Unfortuantely for us, God knows us by our thoughts and what's in our hearts.
2007-08-21 01:14:47 · answer #2 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thoughts and feelings are NOT immoral. If they are then I give up on being moral.. Emotions and feelings, specifically regarding relationships with other people, are very natural and I find it hard if not downright refuse to "not feel" a certain way or try to tell myself "You shouldn't have these feelings". That feels wrong to me. To make it more clear I am referring to romantic feelings for another person, not thoughts and feelings of wanting hurt someone.
2013-11-27 02:07:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thoughts or feelings are immoral when we act on them. At the moment of temptation we have a choice to pursue the temptation or to cast it out of our mind. If we don't stop the thought and we act it out in our mind, then we have committed an act of immorality.
2007-08-21 01:16:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that judging the morality of thought is perhaps an arbitrary measure at best, but I would say that thoughts and feelings are immoral if they involve indulging in carnal desires, harming or degrading others, or involve pure self-serving and self-gratifying wishes. So, basically, anything that isn't completely altruistic could be considered immoral thinking. It's a good thing no one will ever know...
2007-08-21 01:05:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Find yourself a Jesuit priest or a book about Catholic Catechism ... they've got lots of things listed under 'thoughts' and 'feelings' that are considered immoral. It'll keep you busy for days.
2007-08-21 01:08:38 · answer #6 · answered by Robert D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our thoughts hurt no one. Only our actions can do so. Therefore, I see no reason to call a thought "immoral."
2007-08-21 01:07:16 · answer #7 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When they contradict your 'ethics'.
Ethics is 'theory'... morality is 'practice'.
Your 'ethics' are the principles by which you INTEND to conduct yourself. Your 'morality' is a measure of how well you manage to do that.
“The ethical man knows he shouldn’t cheat on his wife, whereas the moral man actually wouldn’t.” ~ Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum) in the CBS television series 'NCIS'
When one’s morals fail to match up with one’s ethics, we have word for that too: 'hypocrisy'.
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2007-08-21 01:08:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well personally i feel certain fantasies sexual can be immoral, some people like to hurt others etc...so yes i think that you can have immoral thoughts
2007-08-21 00:59:18 · answer #9 · answered by anonomous 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When they are bad for you it becomes a sin. For instance, fantasizing about intercourse with your husband is definately encouraged ... but if your fantasies are such that your husband is left out of the loop, then that's no good for your marriage.
Thoughts of hatred, revenge, sarcasm ... all of these are normal for everyone, but when you begin to obsess on them, that is bad for you.
2007-08-21 01:05:13 · answer #10 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋