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Morality
IT IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK
Topics and Questions
What is morality? The failed definitions.
Hitler's Morality. Evidence from the most immoral monster in history.
Moral Authority?
Religious Authority, the failure of religion, the success of scripture.
Atheism, morality, and nihilism.
Intrinsic Value and DNA
Personal Morality, Justice vs Mercy.
The Moral Man?
The five "I Wills" or "Not my Will"
Hitchens and the end of the Matter.
What Morality is.
Philospoher William Lane Craig debate Neuroscientists and Atheists Sam Harris
Failed Definitions
Morality is defined philosophically as "descriptively to refer to certain codes of conduct put forward by a society or a group (such as a religion), or accepted by an individual for her own behavior, or
normatively to refer to a code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational people."
Gert, Bernard and Joshua Gert, "The Definition of Morality", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2020/entries/morality-definition/>.
So here we see that an individual, society, or "all rational people" are the ones that choose morality. I am certain this refers only to relative morality as depending on the individual, the society, or the rationale being used, we can invent all kinds of ideas that are very immoral yet seem rational. Soon we will see how this line of thinking has led to various deeply immoral societies and people. Terrible suffering is the result of these ideas. It seems quite strange that the definition of morality leads directly to suffering.
Theology holds an entirely different idea of morality. The very concept changes when we are talking about God's morality. So far we have seen actions and choices made by individuals, groups, religions, societies, and even the entire world to choose what is or is not moral. Theologically all of these fail. We will see that individuals, when we choose our own morality, always get it wrong and cause suffering. We will see that even the best of us do this. In fact, we will see that the very worst of us believed themselves to be the best of us and thought they were morally superior to everyone else.
What group of people are moral? Which group decides morality?
American Slavery, Nazis, Anti-Semitism, Eugenics, Genocide, War, and persecution have all been products of group choices societies have made.
How then can society have the final say on morality? Does that not indicate that all things may therefore be moral as long as the authority of society has given its blessing?
Societies record of death and suffering disqualifies all societies from moral authority.
If society is incapable of moral authority then we ourselves must decide for ourselves what is moral and acceptable?
That's exactly what Jeffery Dahmer thought as well.
Who are you to tell Dahmer he was wrong if we all have the same moral authority?
Adolf Hitler was the most moral man alive according to Adolf Hitler.
Adolf Hitler always makes the top of the very worst and most evil people in history. The consensus is that Hitler was evil. So let's see what He had to say about morality. He obviously got it very wrong or simply did not care, so whatever he said, we know it is demonstrably false and the morality he adhered to is not moral at all. Richard Weikart has written several books on the subject of what was going on in the mass murderer's mind. Welkart digs into what made the mad man mad. It turns out that Hitler was doing the absolute moral and honorable thing as demanded by duty and obligation. Hitler was a darwinian Socialist meaning Hitler was concerned with only the furthering of the German people and the advancement of the human race through elimination of the genetically weak and inferior. In From darwin to Hitler Welkart writes "Hitler imbibed these social darwinist ideas and blended in virulent anti-sementism, and there you have it: Holocaust".
From Darwin to Hitler R. Welkart , 2016 Page 3
Hitler's Eugenics programs are documented in hundreds of books and are considered among the very worst atrocities, second only to the death camps, which in Hitler's mind are part of the moral solution to mankind's woes. Joseph Mengela did all that he did in the interest of eugenics. "The "Law for the Protection of the Hereditary Health of the German People" requires all prospective marriage partners to obtain from the public health authorities a certificate of fitness to marry. Such certificates are refused to those suffering from "hereditary illnesses" and contagious diseases and those attempting to marry in violation of the Nuremberg Laws." Holocaust Encyclopedia Nuremberg race laws https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nuremberg-race-laws. This is but one example of the efforts to "clean" the genetic lineage of the next generation. His intentions for a master race have been documented Ad Nauseum. He killed more than 6 million jews and more than 2 million dissenters in his desire to create a perfect people and eliminate the weakest.
You see, according to Hitler the problem of the world was simple math. If you have too many genetically weak individuals then the world is using too much to attain too little. It was easy to see from his view that the only real option available was to eliminate the genetically inferior. The worst monster in all of history was bent on saving the world. In Hitler's mind, he was the most moral man alive.
" The Nazi’s Führer Principle or the cult of Adolf Hitler was its defining feature." "Hitler set the course, the state and the people followed as this course was also their course, Hitler’s choices also their choices. There was no room for opposition to Hitler’s way."
The World at War: World History 1914-1945 Seth Rogoff. https://scalar.usc.edu/works/usm-open-source-history-text-the-world-at-war-world-history-1914-1945/the-fhrer-leader-principle.
Hitler did not question himself but was intently focused on his objective. He was right no matter the reasoning or voice of opposition. He silenced all that opposed him with fear, bribery, extortion, and death. Hitler was going to save the German people at any cost, including world war. HIs goal was so very lofty and so very noble as to be above all the ramblings of the weak. There were no checks and balances to Hitler's ideals. He never paused. He was right and nothing and no one would ever convince him otherwise. Anything that needed to occur to clean the German people of the inferior races within the society would be worthwhile. This is the consequence of having an individual morality not based on anything larger than one's own ideals. If I am the author of morality then anything I write is moral. If I own goodness, I am therefore God. The following title says it all. "To Save the Planet, Kill 90 Percent of People Off, Says UT Ecologist"
Reason by Ronald Bailey | 4.3.2006 https://reason.com/2006/04/03/to-save-the-planet-kill-90-per/
What therefore gets to decide what morality is? Since Hitler showed us what morality is without external checks and balances then we must look outside ourselves to find where these might come from. There are only a few places we may look. Society may tell us what morality is as the Stanford encyclopedia has said. The world itself may tell us what is good and bad. Perhaps it is only the cadre we surround ourselves with that determines the values we have. Or perhaps Hitler was only a madman and we ourselves can dictate right and wrong so long as we are rational people.
Ghandi, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King
Some believe Ghandi or Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King were giants of morality.
Can they teach us morality? Do they have moral authority?
Who then is Moral? Who can tell us what morality is? The best of us fail, the worst of us claim no morality or that they are the moral standard themselves. Where are we to turn?
Moral Authority
Self
Each person chooses their own right or wrong. No one may judge another's actions or motivations.
Anything can be right or wrong depending on the individual. No absolutes.
Society
Groups of people choose what is right or wrong by consensus or vote. Consequences are imposed for violations of what is considered moral.
Slavery is ok.
Genocide is ok
War is ok.
Religion
Mankind is either moral or not depending on the religion. Morality is either subjective or non-existent among mankind.
If moral absolutes exist then mankind i disqualified from being moral.
Maybe Religion can give us Morality?
Buddhism
Buddhism is the ultimate in moral relativism. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, a professor of theology and a nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, explains,
"There are no moral absolutes in Buddhism and it is recognized that ethical decision-making involves a complex nexus of causes and conditions. 'Buddhism' encompasses a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices, and the canonical scriptures leave room for a range of interpretations. All of these are grounded in a theory of intentionality, and individuals are encouraged to analyze issues carefully for themselves. When making moral choices, individuals are advised to examine their motivation--whether aversion, attachment, ignorance, wisdom, or compassion--and to weigh the consequences of their actions in light of the Buddha's teachings."
O'Brien, Barbara. "Buddhism and Morality." Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/buddhism-and-morality-449726.
The Buddhists themselves are the judge of their own morality, just like Hitler and Dahmer.
Hinduism
Hinduism allows for a great many ideals to be correct all at once. You have options depending on your leading or your place on your path you are on here and now. This may be a lesson you need to learn in this life to prepare you for the next life so you can proceed further on your path to Dharma.
As stated in Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy "Also, there is sufficient variation amongst the schools of Hindu philosophy on moral matters that makes defining Hindu philosophy solely on the basis of a shared moral doctrine impossible. If there is a core moral theory common to all Hindu schools, it is likely to be so thin that it will also be found as a component of other Indian religions. Thus, an ethical theory might be a necessary criterion of Hinduism, but it is insufficient."
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy; Hindu Philosophy, Shyam Ranganathan York University, Canada https://iep.utm.edu/hindu-ph/
Basically Hinduism allows for an extremely varied morality based on your specific path to Dharma. This can not be an objective moral standard.
Taoism
Taoism regards moral values as relative and avoids absolute moral judgments. Taoism literature says nothing about the afterlife and depicts death as one of nature's transformations from one state to another. Humans are part of the grand harmony of nature and to live in accord with the Tao is the only way to thrive.
Tribal Religions
Tribal Morality shows us where the problem truly exists. You see tribes tend to have a very strong "in house" morality meaning that members of a tribe or social group tend to treat each other well. However those outside this group are nearly always treated differently. Some tribes such as the Surma use a rock to remove the teeth of women of marrying age. Other tribes believe the tribe next door are demons. Still others such as the Sentinelese kill anyone that comes near them but do not harm each other. Some of these are considered to be quite harsh and immoral to outsiders but are well within established moores of the tribe. Is there a completely moral tribe somewhere? We can say confidently that if there is, we certainly have not found it. The biggest issue when it comes to tribal morality is that no matter where we look it appears that the morality of the tribe only works within the tribe. When two separate tribes meet the moores of the two tribes break down. The tribal religion does not appear to affect this boundary between two tribes at all. If anything it tends to cause more conflict than resolution. The massacres and ethnic cleansing in Africa among the various tribes have claimed millions of lives. This is not morality.
Abrahamic Religions
"there is none righteous, no not one"
All Abrahamic religions speak of the same kind of morality but all also speak of repentance and demonstrate the need for shunning sin, forgiveness of sin, and that all men sin. Therefore these religions do not tell us that we can be moral but instead that we are innately immoral beings. This seems to be self evident.
It therefore cannot be the religion that teaches morality, instead these religions teach that morality is not within mankind to achieve. We require Gods forgiveness.
Does atheism lead to morality?
Does morality exists?
Isaiah 14:13- 14:
I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN.
I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD
I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION."
I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS
I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH.
These are the words of Lucifer in defiance to God. The initial act of evil.
One submitted their will to the Author of what is good and righteous, the other rebelled against this authority seeking their own desires.
Do you seek your own desires?
Morality Cannot be an External Motivation
1 TIMOTHY 1:8-11
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and worldly, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the [a]sexually immoral, homosexuals, [b]slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
ITS A MATTER OF THE HEART
Morality cannot be effective if it is externally motivated.
External motivation must be contrary to morality. A moral person is in no need of external motivation. Criminals may be deterred by the threat of punishment or consequence but when we remove the threat or they believe they will not be caught, they commit the act. The wall between the desire and the committing is not what we call morality.
Morality is internal. One must self-govern our own intentions and desires. It is not that one has no desire to commit wrong, but instead is keenly aware of such desires and even the consequences and far-reaching effects of even small actions resulting in harm.
Good men are good because they know that they are wicked. They work against their own desires to what appears to be advantage or gain.