So what you're saying is - there is an absolute for morality, and we all have an inherent nature to have an inlking of what it is, But you don't know all the specifics, which is perfectly understandable.Flash2024 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 5:53 pmOK, one more. A good point, Will. Again, evil because they knew what they were doing (I'm talking about the leaders, not a lot of the sheep) was immoral. If a society, outside of Western norms, say a hypothetical mythical historical Teutonic society, acted this way toward "outsiders", the "other", within their (admittedly screwed up from our perspective) religious/moral system--would it be morally wrong? Not for them, I guess. It is hard to place oneself so far out of bounds of our belief systems to try to comprehend that. Because we are are colored by our belief systems.
But I know a bunch of skinheads hanging out on the corner then beating the crap out of an Asian at least suspect they are in the wrong, and revel in that aspect of what they do. Microsocieties like that may be in a strange gray zone, as were fanatic burgermeisters in 1934 Germany (and many MAGAs today) who parrot slogans and actions they think are acceptable due to their leaders' saying that is acceptable--even if the leaders know it is not. Why do they follow? Fear, greed--many reasons.
I grew up as a cultural relativist--back in the earlier days of social anthropology, that was all the rage. It has obviously been to some degree discredited--say an anthropologist in 1930 witnessed a sacrifice--are they supposed to step in and try to stop it, or document it? And what about a modern social scientist in the same position? I suspect they would differ. (as an aside, I wonder if there has been a Far Side covering that scenario?)
Remember, too, Esquire, that although there are dangers of relativism (and remember this whole argument was new to me 3 days ago and I am winging it), there are real real dangers of absolutism as well. Absolutism can breed intolerance. If I do believe in an absolute morality, and I encounter a new society or peoples who do not share it, are they wrong? Should they be punished? What if these peoples live within our own society? For me it is perhaps immoral to hit a child. For others, it is may not only be routine, but a sign of good parenting. What if I burn a bible? Certainly it is my right (but very very impolite). But then a pastor burns a Quran.
The point is I don't really know. AND LIKE MOST THINGS IN LIFE--there are really no definite answers. Hence philosophical debate. Probably, there is some middle ground (ah but then is that relativistic? Or is there being a middle ground, a grey area to all this, an absolute?
Might I inquire why the Bible doesn't foot the bill for you?