Are actions morally right without scientific proof?

  • Thread starter Roxy
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In summary: And not that we've proven that there are actual ethics - only theories which seem to predict and mimic phenomena.In summary, the concept of "right" and "wrong" is subjective and can be defined differently by different religions and societies. It is not absolute and can change over time. The idea of a higher power or society dictating what is right or wrong is also subjective and influenced by personal power and freedom. In the end, it is up to each individual to define what they believe is good or bad based on their own beliefs and values.
  • #1
Roxy
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God or society says they are right?
 
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  • #3
I guess there are many ways to define right. This kind of discussion depends on very defined terms. Do you define right as good? Or is it not sinning? Different religions say certain actions are right or wrong, and different societies agree or disagree with parts of them. I personally believe that aboslute right or wrongs cannot be proven and that it is up to each person to define what is good.

Example. A long time ago it was "right" to have slavery. Preachers would have condoned it. They would tell you God agrees with slavery. Now, most of us are against slavery. This is a good example of showing that the "right" thing changes from time and that it is not so absolute.

What are your thoughts?
 
  • #4
Roxy said:
God or society says they are right?

Isn't "God" just another part of the "society" that accepts Him? Either way, society will decide what "right" is simply because society is the only thing that can put pressure on you to behave a certain way or not.

However, if God has already decided what is "right" and what is "wrong", and if He's really "God" in the usual sense (and thus the most important part of any society), then He quite likely has the power to "pressure" you to behave one way or the other.

Note: "Pressure" doesn't mean "coerce" or "force" or anything like that. It means that you get good results from doing one thing ("good", here, means "favorable to you") and bad results from doing the opposite.
 
  • #5
Roxy said:
God or society says they are right?

No, they are not.
 
  • #6
Jameson said:
Example. A long time ago it was "right" to have slavery. Preachers would have condoned it. They would tell you God agrees with slavery. Now, most of us are against slavery. This is a good example of showing that the "right" thing changes from time and that it is not so absolute.

What that shows us, is that the "right" thing is only defined according to the times. Right or wrong are not phenomena, they are an invention. There is no right or wrong thing, since it is not so much that the "right" thing changes - but only our definition of it.
 
  • #7
Mentat said:
However, if God has already decided what is "right" and what is "wrong", and if He's really "God" in the usual sense (and thus the most important part of any society), then He quite likely has the power to "pressure" you to behave one way or the other.

Note: "Pressure" doesn't mean "coerce" or "force" or anything like that. It means that you get good results from doing one thing ("good", here, means "favorable to you") and bad results from doing the opposite.

The ability to decide what is right or wrong doesn't make it necessary that the thing wielding that ability has the power to do so.

But you have almost hit the mark - POWER will define what people will follow and think is good or bad. Thus, anyone who has truthfully found a "good" realizes that he has been seduced by its power, not because of it's "inherent" goodness.
 
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  • #8
GeD said:
The ability to decide what is right or wrong doesn't make it necessary that the thing wielding that ability has the power to do so.

But you have almost hit the mark - POWER will define what people will follow and think is good or bad. Thus, anyone who has truthfully found a "good" realizes that he has been seduced by its power, not because of it's "inherent" goodness.

This is somewhat reminiscent of Euthyphro, but expound a bit on the concept of being "seduced by the power of a true good".
 
  • #9
It's simply that people usually follow/believe "truths" that increase their own power (ie. their influence over people/world around them and their freedom of action). It is not the case that somehow things are inherently in the "good category" or "bad category", simply because we or someone has labeled them that way.

It's better to realize that truths are about gaining/maintaining personal power (which involves not only influence, but also of personal freedom to act).
 
  • #10
Roxy said:
God or society says they are right?

Neither. Similarly to how neither "god" not society can decide the laws of physics (because they are fact, not opinion), I dont' believe that the ethics of a situation can be decreed.
 
  • #11
Not that we've proven that there are actual laws of physics - only theories which seem to predict and mimic phenomena.
 
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1. Are actions right because of their consequences?

It depends on the ethical theory one follows. Utilitarianism, for example, holds that the rightness of an action is determined by its ability to bring about the greatest amount of overall happiness.

2. Are actions right because of their intent?

Again, this depends on the ethical theory. Some believe that the intent behind an action is what makes it right or wrong, while others argue that the consequences are more important.

3. Are actions right because of cultural norms?

Cultural relativism suggests that what is considered right or wrong is determined by the culture in which it is practiced. However, this can lead to conflicting ideas of right and wrong across different cultures.

4. Are actions right because of religious beliefs?

Some religions have specific moral codes that dictate what is considered right or wrong. However, this can also vary within different sects of a religion and can exclude those who do not follow the same beliefs.

5. Are actions right because of personal values?

Personal values can play a role in determining what is considered right or wrong, but they are not the sole determining factor. What one person considers right may differ from another person's values.

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