Patrician
10-14-2004, 10:11 PM
This is a post to another user from another thread. I will start off on my version of what morality is.
That which allows a man to lead the life of a man. "Man has been called a rational being, but rationality is a matter of choice and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be a man- by choice" (from Joyhn Galt's speech.) Morality for a rational man is that which is required for his survival qua man.
If you deny the existence of reality or rationality, there is no morality. Morality is a social construct, a concept. If you deny this fundamental premise- that is rationality and reality- that allows for concept formation, then you cannot accept morality as a value. Those without morality are those without minds. Animals. There are only two choices for a rational being- morality, as described above or instinct and whim. "I think therefore I am" is the famous quote by Rene Descartes. While he meant it to mean my thoughts betray my existence, it can also be used in the context in which I am arguing. That is a man must think, a man must have ideas if he is to live life as a man. Otherwise he is nothing more than a slave to his instincts. Therefore that which allows a man to live a rational life is moral. That which denies this is immoral. A man which denies rationality thus denies the concept of morality and therefore cannot live a moral life.
Animals may take part in any behavior they please. They may even kill. Morality does not apply to animals. Animals are not rational beings and therefore incapable of concept formation. Men ARE capable of concept formation. Men can know more than raw power or pleasure or instinct. Men are capable of understanding and men are capable forming ideas. A moral man has ideas. Real ideas. An immoral man has instincts and seeks to hide his mind away in pleasure. A moral man controls his nature, it does not control him. The moral man asks questions. To me happiness is "that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." - Ayn Rand. The question here is do you have values, do you have ideas or do you exist in a constant battle to fight off thought through drugs, pleasure and mysticism? That is not to say you should not pursue these things in moderation. But they should not define your lifestyle. Your identity means more than escaping your reality. Your identity is not the collective you belong to or the state you serve. Your identity is more than the lifestyle you lead. These are all superficial things. A moral man defines his identity through three main traits, and he holds three things as supreme in his life above all others. They are Reason, Purpose and Ideas. Temporary diversions are fine. All men need a release once in a while. But a man, unlike an animal, cannot live on instinct alone.
Thats the quick version. How do you define morality in logical terms?
That which allows a man to lead the life of a man. "Man has been called a rational being, but rationality is a matter of choice and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be a man- by choice" (from Joyhn Galt's speech.) Morality for a rational man is that which is required for his survival qua man.
If you deny the existence of reality or rationality, there is no morality. Morality is a social construct, a concept. If you deny this fundamental premise- that is rationality and reality- that allows for concept formation, then you cannot accept morality as a value. Those without morality are those without minds. Animals. There are only two choices for a rational being- morality, as described above or instinct and whim. "I think therefore I am" is the famous quote by Rene Descartes. While he meant it to mean my thoughts betray my existence, it can also be used in the context in which I am arguing. That is a man must think, a man must have ideas if he is to live life as a man. Otherwise he is nothing more than a slave to his instincts. Therefore that which allows a man to live a rational life is moral. That which denies this is immoral. A man which denies rationality thus denies the concept of morality and therefore cannot live a moral life.
Animals may take part in any behavior they please. They may even kill. Morality does not apply to animals. Animals are not rational beings and therefore incapable of concept formation. Men ARE capable of concept formation. Men can know more than raw power or pleasure or instinct. Men are capable of understanding and men are capable forming ideas. A moral man has ideas. Real ideas. An immoral man has instincts and seeks to hide his mind away in pleasure. A moral man controls his nature, it does not control him. The moral man asks questions. To me happiness is "that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." - Ayn Rand. The question here is do you have values, do you have ideas or do you exist in a constant battle to fight off thought through drugs, pleasure and mysticism? That is not to say you should not pursue these things in moderation. But they should not define your lifestyle. Your identity means more than escaping your reality. Your identity is not the collective you belong to or the state you serve. Your identity is more than the lifestyle you lead. These are all superficial things. A moral man defines his identity through three main traits, and he holds three things as supreme in his life above all others. They are Reason, Purpose and Ideas. Temporary diversions are fine. All men need a release once in a while. But a man, unlike an animal, cannot live on instinct alone.
Thats the quick version. How do you define morality in logical terms?