Who gets to decide what's right or wrong?

Answer 1

One time during a discussion, a young atheist said that her right and wrong amounted to doing what she felt like doing. She didn't word it that way but that's what she was saying. She quickly added that, of course, what she felt like doing was usually the right thing to do. That just dug her into a deeper hole.

We do what we feel like doing and then set our actions as the standard for "the right thing to do". No wonder she considered herself to be a good person. No wonder that even criminals plotting their next crime consider themselves to be basically good.

We get feelings from different sources. Many times our feelings are the result of long years of being praised for acceptable behavior and not praised for unacceptable behavior.

So if I decide right or wrong by way of feelings, is it me who is deciding or my society who through their training gave me these feelings?

Answer 2

There are many theories that concern itself with ethics/morality. Some of these theories are relativism, universalization, divine theory, and natural law.

Relativist has two subcategories.
a)"Ethical subjectivist" believe that the ultimate decider of right and wrong is the individual. For example, killers and rapists actually believe that their actions are morally right. However, most people would argue to the contrary.

b)"Cultural relativist" believe that the ultimate decider of right and wrong is a culture or society. For example, at one time in the United States, people/society believed that slavery is morally right. However, most people would argue to the contrary.

"Universalist" believe that neither an individual nor a culture/society is the decider of right and wrong. Universalist believe that there are objective truths and objective ethics and morality.

"Divine theorists" believe that the decider of right and wrong is God. However, some might say that God would never ask or command someone to do evil. If this is so, then this statement implies that there are objective right and wrong that are independent of God.

"Natural law theorist" believe that morality is grounded in rational human nature rather than in God's commands or personal feelings or cultural norms.

These are just some of the theories, but if you would like to learn more about morality and ethics, then you should take philosophy classes.

Answer 3

Each of us knows the difference between right and wrong. It is what you do with that knowledge that decides who you really are. We have man made laws that if you break you get punished for. We also have God's law and if we break those then our eternal life is in jeopardy.Bottom line is like it our not we have to follow politicians laws on earth and if we want to reach Heaven then we also need to follow God's Laws. Thing is if you start by following God's laws chances are you will not break mans. So the question of who gets to decide right or wrong becomes a mute point.

Answer 4

I think the only thing that is outright wrong is a permanent end to something(i.e. murder).

Other than that, some things in life are up for an individual's objection.But others like to have rules of what's right and wrong to keep order, I'm guessing.

Answer 5

Do you mean endorse a conviction of right or wrong? If something is right or it is wrong its state is independent of a person. If it is a matter of individual world-view then it is not a right or wrong sort of thing.

Answer 6

We all have the abitlity in us to decide what is right and wrong. But it is wether or not we use this ability that causes the problem.

Answer 7

Depending on you stance, either yourself or a predetermined morality instituted by a religion or organization you are a part of exercised by a leader or religious book.

Answer 8

God has already decided what is right and what is wrong.

Answer 9

You do! Others may not agree with you, but you decide.

Answer 10

whoever is the biggest meanist S.O.B. in the valley Duuuuh!