why to be moral?

Question

i'm just wondering.. what would be the basis.. universal morality, do we have that?

Answer 1

...just to be sure U know right from wrong before U act!!!

Answer 2

I guess there is a universal morality. The Hindus say that "the smile that you send out returns to you." The Jews say, "You get what you give." The Christians say, "As you sow so shall you reap." This is a cosmic law which seems to be universally understood. The reason for you to act morally really has a basis in self interest. If you don't want that to happen to you, then don't do it to someone else. An act of kindness is its own reward. It is a proven fact that when we do a good deed, we derive psychological and emotional benefits from it. Mainly, you'll feel better about yourself and when you feel better about yourself, you will be a happier and healthier person. Usually, people who do horrible things really loath themselves and it shows.

Answer 3

Well, any claim that there is no universal morality is itself a universal moral claim. So it is difficult to see how one can completely discount the plausibility of some universal morality without falling into contradiction, although this fails to lead to some kind of universal normative obligation(s).

Furthermore, just because there may not be universal agreement about some particular moral claim or set thereof, this does not discount the possibility of some universal moral principle--it could simply be beyond our conceptual abilities.

Those who claim that some particular moral claim is not universally accepted does not show that it is wrong, but merely that my moral beliefs are my own, which as noted by Thomas Nagel, is obvious. Moral reasoning can however lead to universal normative obligations, though there application may vary. For instance, I think that there can be little if any rational dissent to the following argument from Singer, who's philosophy I nevertheless despise:

1) unjust suffering is very bad
2) if it is in our power to stop unjust suffering without sacrificing anything of either: a)equal, or b)significant, moral worth, then we ought to do it.
3) therefore, we ought to prevent unjust suffering when we do not risk sacrifice anything of *blank* moral worth.

There may be significant disagreement about what this entails, particularly depending on whether we prescribe to the strong or weak understanding of moral worth, but it nevertheless appears an inescapable moral claim, even if not universally accepted, though I think it a serious task to provide reason not to accept such a moral claim.

Just my two cents.

Answer 4

In order to invoke absolute morality, one of the most common way philosophers and theologians take is to postulate God into the picture. Given that God is the greatest maxim of goodness, this gives humans a moral standard to follow. Obviously, the issue isn't as straight forward as this. There still are questions like how does a person really know what God's standard is and such.
Essentially morality is relative, whether we like it or not.
So in conclusion, I don't think there is absolute morality.

Answer 5

The most common reason that people act morally is that it feels good. Society trains us from infancy using praise. We love to be praised so we behave. When we're adults, we feel good from real or imagined praise.

The Golden Rule is either based upon feel-goodism or it is based upon an obligation to our Creator. We are not obligated to a set of feelings.

Universal morality requires God. You can't get past it.

Answer 6

I have found that what goes around comes around, if you consider morality when making you decisions you will find yourself in a better place. If a cashier gives me to much change I always have to give it back. Always attempt to do the right thing and good things will happen to you as well.

It may sound like I drank the koolaid, that's just how I am and good things always seem to happen to me in return.

Answer 7

Empathy is hard wired in the brain. Not being moral is contrary to your natural instinct.

Answer 8

Karma

Answer 9

Why not????