[exmarine]

I am actually quite attracted to the concept that ethical behavior/right action is founded upon reason.

This is really a non-answer. What if I reason that torturing babies is fun? Marquis de Sade reasoned that torturing women was fun. It's your reason against his. Whose reason is right? Obviously, reason is a tool or a means to an end, and not an end in itself. Reason is not a destination but a vehicle. Reason is used to perceive truths and logically requires a beginning PREMISE.

[Junior]

What if I reason that torturing babies is fun?

But you run the risk of pissing off the parents of the children you are torturing, who will promptly track you down and ensure that your views do not make it into the next generation.

[CobaltBlue]

So when Christ says, "love your neighbor as yourself" what forces you to obey? It's not one of the Ten Commandments, and Christ didn't say what would happen to you if you didn't.

For that matter, if you're kinky, loving your neighbor as yourself may not be all that pleasant to your neighbor.

[Junior]

Marquis de Sade reasoned that torturing women was fun. It's your reason against his.

De Sade's partners were all willing participants in his ... obsession.