Morality is dangerous for those with weak minds...Please read on...?

Question

Morality, without strength of character, can be moulded to suit the situation.

An example is a person who would never kill another intentionally who is more than happy to push the button on a lethal injection machine, and Why? Because twelve people said so.

Another example may be someone who would never steal from another will skim a little off the top from someone who is rich because they don't need it.

Morality for those with weak characters, for those who are easily swayed by popular opinion or those who have deep seated and totally unquestioned beliefs, is a dangerous thing. It can be twisted to suit the situation, to allow anything that is needed or desired. Lynch mobs are a great example of this, every person in the lynch mob feels completely morally justified with whatever the mob does.

How can one prevent such twisting or morality to suit a situation, without self assured judgement? Is there a better way?

Please explain your answers.

Thanks.

Please note : Answers using and relying on self-assured judgement will not be considered.

Answer 1

This is a very good question. I think the weakness you mention is caused by a reliance on relative moral logic. I divide the way people measure things into two methods, absolute and relative. Both are usually relevant but in different ways. If you go into a room full of short people you become the tall person, yet you have not grown at all. Your becoming tall is a relative observation and a wider or ruler measure is more absolute. When relative views are applied to moral decisions they sound weak and are subject to sliding. Hitler's willing executioners had to be moved to that point where they could kill, this took time. When moral systems move quickly more relative moral thinkers notice, yet when the movement is slower the relative moral thinkers will adapt. People have the skills to move these relative moral thinkers, in the office, school or inside your circle too. They can be moved in either direction toward better morals and toward worse.

I think this weak character you mention is this relative moral view. It is essential for the success of genocide and it is used in politics all the time.

Interesting quote with some relative and absolute measures. :

"A wise man seeks to shine in himself; a fool to outshine others.The former is humbled by a sense of his infirmities; the latter is lifted up by the discovery of the faults of others. The wise man considers what he wants; the fool, what he abounds in. The wise man is happy in his own approbation; the fool, in the applause of his fellows."

--William Ellery Channing

Answer 2

I think what you're saying is that morality requires a strong foundation. For most people, morality is founded on feelings. We feel bad if we mistreat someone but if others are doing the same, we don't feel as bad.

Feelings, by themselves, are a very poor foundation for morality. We are able to mould our feelings to suit the situation. We humans have a tremendous capacity for self justification and rationalization. "A man, he hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" (The Boxer)

There has to be a moral authority behind the feelings. Of course, I'm speaking of God.

We can still do it, but it is harder to rationalize our behavior in front of God when we know that we cannot deceive Him.

Answer 3

they feed on each others sameness to the point of total "group think" where there is no more individual mind
but only a "group mind"

weak people also go along with the group
strong people lead the group

books that cover such behavior
- lord of the flies (english schoolboys gone crazy when left to themselves)
- 1984
- an Nazi analysis during the 1940's

the largest groups are the most dangerous as "ultimate power corrupts ultimately"

how did europe convince men during the crusades to kill anyone not a christian? how do we convince soliders that dropping a bomb is good?

better way: let mankind die off, as his arrogance will not allow individual thinking processes without ridicule or death.

Answer 4

I can't speak for others. I try to do the right thing all the time. I try to be strong when no one is looking but I can still see my weaknesses after the day is over. But I struggle to be better tomorrow.

Answer 5

I dont think anyone can do the right thing all the time, because the words right and wrong are too universal. Is there a set right or wrong? I dont think so.
I mean sure theres what the bible tells us is right (but other religions contradict that right and wrong).

As for your question... im not sure there is a way.

Answer 6

for the most part I agree and would like to add absolute truth should not override virtue and happiness and as Confucius said propriety requires flexibility. and you think your judgment is not self assured?????????? Then why do you accept it ?

Answer 7

ya cant prevent it never... all people are weak and follow like sheep, its just the degree thats diferent...and them that say its not true are kidding themselves...nobody is TOTALLY strong with TOTAL morality

Answer 8

the WEAKS and the POORS , are the MORALS GIVERS to the upper hands of REPUTATION states of morals.