Does an atom have morals? Or need a set of atoms have a brain to have morals? And does morality change over time or is it fixed?
2007-10-12 12:55:18 · 14 answers · asked by simondavidmiller 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No. A problem has to exist for a solution to exist.
Morality is a solution. No humanity = no moral problems = no solutions created = no morality
It would be like having an anti-aircraft missile in 1492.
If animals have morality, its not in a form we recognize as such. We usually call their interactions "instinct". , or at most a "response to stimulus". Atoms do not need morality, they are governed by physics.
Of course morality changes. Just the other day, I was going to hang a horse thief, but someone stopped me because it stopped being a moral response about 100 years ago. Good thing I didn't tell him about my concubines!
2007-10-12 13:02:07 · answer #1 · answered by freebird 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think not only is it necessary for there to be a brain for morals to exist, but also self-awareness and the ability to think and reason. Atoms aren't alive and conscious. Animals don't have a sense of right and wrong, only humans do.
And morality does change over time. Just look at history -- there were many ancient civilizations in which slavery and human sacrifice were morally acceptable; kings ruled with absolute authority over their subjects granted to them from the gods; and women and children were the chattel property of their fathers or husbands. None of these practices are morally acceptable today.
2007-10-12 13:07:57 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that morality did exist before human existence.
I take this position because animals, besides human, have a specific way they conduct themselves. Wild animals have families, and communities with other species. Though they may have different moral boundaries, they still conduct themselves in a way that suggest they follow a set of rules that are not officially enforced.
Take the territorial rules for example. If a male lion invades another male lions territorial boundaries, they will fight over the land. The invading lion knows the territory belongs to someone else (for animals mark there land), and he also knows that by invading this land that a fight will erupt. Thus, the moral rule is that every male lion should remain out of another lion's personal space. This example can be directly related to one person breaking in to someone else's home, or when a person stands too close to you whenever you are together. The moral rule of personal space transcends species.
Thus, all species have some form of morality. Since there have been species before humanity, morality has existed before humanity.
2007-10-12 16:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by crazcalm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. For morality to exist, I believe there must be a sense of self-awareness and heightened intelligence to understand the concept. Atoms don't have morals, and morality will change to what the individual percieves it to be.
2007-10-12 13:04:02 · answer #4 · answered by Sky Guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order for morality to exist, the sense of right and wrong needs to exist. As far as I know, atoms do not have to make decisions about their actions. Animals may have a sense of right and wrong, and they make decisions for themselves, so maybe it started with them? I think the basic principles of morality stay the same, but there are many versions and translations of these principles, allowing them to evolve with time.
2007-10-12 13:06:52 · answer #5 · answered by lisa42088 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rock and gas need no morals. Animals live by instinct. Morals change from civilization to civilization, but one thing never changes: the non-initiation of force, murder being the extreme.
2007-10-12 13:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is possible morality existed
Humans and life in general....are a result of conscience morality...that I believe is broadcast instantaneously thru the universe (hundredth monkey)
Everything is interconnected and in communication with everything else (does require waking up though)
And if you factor in time (or the illusion)...some think there is no past or future...everything exists now...simultaneously
Morality is constantly changing
2007-10-12 13:23:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope. Morality is a social construct. It changes overtime.
2007-10-12 13:04:19 · answer #8 · answered by Irene d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is this a trick question? morality is a figment of human imagination nescasary for the maintainence of civil society but having no reality outside of the mind
2007-10-12 13:19:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Altruism, yes. Morality, no. Morality is a human construct, altruism goes a lot deeper.
2007-10-12 13:26:42 · answer #10 · answered by zero 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋