However, I suspect the thinking behind a "reasoned" moral code - in the eyes of a metaphysical naturalist - is that for them "reality" is only that which exists in nature, thus any bar to establish a ratio is, to them, a mere arbitrary abstraction. With that worldview, the best that can be hoped for is a negotiation. Great insight, A-G. Still I notice that few, if any, metaphysical naturalists have stepped up to the plate and elucidated the problem of "what Nature is" in any kind of coherent manner to the rest of us, in recent times.
You wrote:
That makes me quite sad because what they see as an abstraction, I know to be real.
Maybe some people can tell that difference, A-G, and just choose not to do so.
In which case: Where do we go from there?
Thank you so very much for all your insight!!!
Still I notice that few, if any, metaphysical naturalists have stepped up to the plate and elucidated the problem of "what Nature is" in any kind of coherent manner to the rest of us, in recent times.
So very, very true! That is why I agree so strongly with you that a discussion of "reality" would be of profound benefit to everyone. It ought to occur to metaphysical naturalists that "reality" cannot be defined by the physical senses any longer. The thought of "what is nature" must be brought up to date:
Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. - Einstein
At the quantum mechanical level, we cannot yet confirm the Standard Model theory of mass (the Higgs boson/field.) But even if it is confirmed, it nevertheless would account for only 4% of known matter. At the cosmological level, dark matter represents 23%, i.e. black holes and massive neutrinos (if they exist.) But the remaining 73% is presumed to be dark energy which is not detectable in local space and, unlike the others, is characterized by negative gravity. In other words, it is altogether geometric and harmonic. At the bottom, it is about wave function, quantum field theory.
Even the night sky is an illusion of things which happened long ago and what we think we see is an illusion, because everything is in constant motion. Our vision and our minds limit our comprehension of it. But why? Why do we struggle to perceive in 4D. What causes collective entities to act as one? What gives amoebae memory?
What is life?
Darwin didn't address that question. Biology doesn't either. The physicists struggle with trying to explain the difference between life and non-life and don't have an answer.
Maybe some people can tell that difference, A-G, and just choose not to do so.
I believe all human beings are born with a conscience, a viscerally sense of right and wrong they must willfully ignore to control an outcome. Therefore, I assert that virtually everyone knows that God is real, notwithstanding all their attempts to deny Him.
Where do we go from there?
That is the question! I believe you have been on the right track for several threads now. Start at the beginning – what is “reality” – what is life, etc.