Journal Abm0raz's Journal: Philosophy 6
This is a bit heavy for me, but some lengthy discussions (here and here) with Stargoat brought it the forefront of my thinking as of late.
Some burning philosophicaal questions that have been in my head:
1. Who or what determins what is right and wrong?
2. Are there and levels where something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong?
3. (based on the answer to #2) When, if ever, is it acceptable to impose your version/vision of right and wrong on others with differing levels?
4. Are there systems of government or leadership that are inherantly wrong or right, or is that just a product of the ruling party/person themselves?
5. Are there systems of government or leaadership that are inherantly more likely to produce a leader with good/bad qualities rather than the leader imparting his/her qualities onto the government?
6. Is it acceptable to vote against a rule banning an act accepted as being 'wrong' for reasons that are 'right'? (ex. Voting against a law prohibiting rape (meaning rape stays legal) because the punishment is death by torture.)
7. Is it acceptable to berate them for speaking their mind? (previous question: Calling for the representatives resignation because he "voted to keep rape legal")
If you feel like responding, please reference each question with it's number for ease of discussion.
-Ab
the answer: (Score:1)
But seriously:
1. Who or what determins what is right and wrong?
That depends on what you believe, now doesn't it? If you believe in God (or god or gods), then God determines it.
If you don't believe in God, you're stuck in a system created by those who do. You can't just go about doing whatever you want because you don't believe in the divine inspiration for right and wrong - society and government long ago decided right and wrong, and continue to evolve and refine that definition. And societies a
I think... (Score:1)
#2: Although i just said that everything is cultural, it doesn't mean that "everything's relative." Well, it is, but some things are more
1 and 3 (Score:2)
3. Its okay when their position is offensive, and a majority of people think like you, and or if their position is changeable and will probably if subjected to your position.
Z-osophy... (Score:2)
1. Who or what determins what is right and wrong?
I do, of course.
2. Are there and levels where something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong?
No. The reasons for things make a differance in determining right and wrong. If greater harm would come from not doing something, that action is not wrong. Of course, most people don't do enough analysis on the harm caused by actions to make this a reasonable determining factor, but we're talking in general rather than 'in real life'.
Cat got my tongue (Score:2)
You do. It's up to us to agree, though.
2. Are there and levels where something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong?
Theoretically? No. Practically? Yes. Termination of a fellow human being isn't wrong in absolute terms, but it is never right in relative terms so one might as well call it wrong in absolute terms.
3. (based on the answer to #2) When, if ever, is it acceptable to impose your version/vision of right and wrong on others with differin
Right and wrong (Score:2)
#1 - A group, seeing what increases or decreases its survival, determines right and wrong. We belong to many different groups and each has its own perspective on what is right and wrong, depending on the environment, the situation, and the scope of what the group is aware of. Some groups, such as religions or governments take charge over smaller groups and (try to) decide what is right or wrong for the combined group. At some point, the simple ideas of what is right and wrong