Comments on: The problem with moral arguments… http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/ Life. Liberty. Property. Defending individual freedom and liberty, one post at a time. Wed, 22 May 2013 18:26:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Eric http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2429 Eric Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:39:23 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2429 Interesting that “A Duoist” would align the idea of teaching individual rights with the idea of teaching religious morality. I think you’re barking up the wrong tree trying to show him other than what he believes Robert.

]]> By: Robert http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2428 Robert Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:04:54 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2428 In the context of my post, I’m interested in the dichotomy between utilitarianism and natural rights, primarily because those two philosophies are the major players in the political arena today, which directly and indirectly affects us all.

America’s philosophical foundation—and certainly the moral basis for its constitution—is the idea that natural rights (i.e. individual rights) are to be seen as sacrosanct and inviolable. Conversely, the rest of the world is increasingly embracing utilitarianism, which, in practical reality, reveals itself as some degree of socialism. The net effect of this paradigm shift is that lately, so-called “limited government” Republicans can’t seem to find a government program that they don’t like. So, I think that to “construct or teach morality in a systematic, pedagological way” is precisely the way to begin to reverse America’s slide to a full-blown social democracy…or worse.

]]> By: a Duoist http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2427 a Duoist Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:16:52 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2427 Hello Robert,

All moral systems are efforts to influence, if not completely alter, human nature. The more that a specific moral system distrusts the inherent nature of human beings, the more severe the moral system becomes. And since ‘trust’ is the measure of good mental health…

Secondly: There is much to be said negatively about the psychology of those of us who construct or teach morality in a systematic, pedagological way.

]]> By: VRB http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2426 VRB Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:56:16 +0000 http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2006/09/23/the-problem-with-moral-arguments%e2%80%a6/#comment-2426 If it is expected that a moral system would become part of a society, then its arguments could not be complicated. In your example, I don’t think most of the populace would understand Immanuel Kant without explanation. As a ordinary person, with an ordinary intelligence, the philosophers, Kant, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, were impossible to read. These were the philosophers to read in my youth (60′s). At least the ones who wanted you to know that they were more intelligent than you.

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