Can man
be moral without God? Certainly, just as I can follow the laws given by a
president whom I dislike. Can morals be created without the appeal of a power
higher than our own? Goldstein apparently thinks so, and I venture to guess she
has determined there is no such thing as universal morality, as differing
morals will be created by differing people. That’s all well and fine, except
that one must wonder what legitimate place criticism of other moral codes stems
from. What reason can you give for your traditionally western ideals of
kindness, and humility being superior to ideals from other corners of the world
which laud violence and winner-take-all attitudes, aside from the fact that YOU
are partial to your own. “Well,” you might say, “My values help others, and if
everyone followed them, there would be more harmony in this world.” Okay, well
that is no argument to support morals, as it includes morals in itself. Who are
you to say helping others is a desirable end? Why do you think harmony is to be
sought after? The world in the book and film The Giver was harmonious, until that stupid, freethinking teenage
hero came along and messed things up. Why is he the hero?
My
point is, if you stipulate man constructs morals, then you unavoidably
relinquish your right to criticize other codes of conduct. You won’t stop, of
course, but your reasons are the things that will be truly arbitrary. I believe
morals of love, mercy, and piety are correct due to their being ordained by a
power higher than myself. The way they often appear counter-intuitive in a world
where might makes right only lends them credence. Why would we create a code
for ourselves that often tastes so bitter?
If everybody had the same moral code, then everybody would be the same. It is our personality and values that give us our morals, and it's amazing that everybody has a different set
ReplyDeleteMorals do not equal personality. That's why we punish criminals no matter how charming they are (ideally).
DeleteIt is not my prerogative to preserve my morals, but to constantly evolve. This critique is as old as the hills, but there is a staunch difference in following a code to avoid punishment and developing actual morals. Then, again, we do follow morals based on the prospect we will be punished otherwise, even if the punishment would derive from our conscience.
ReplyDelete