Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Reeses
Is it ok for a lion to kill a gazelle?

Yes. This is a non-moral situation, as it has no morally responsible actors for whom it could be "right" or "wrong."

Is it ok if a volcano explodes?

Yes. Non-moral.

Is it ok that the Europeans killed off most of the Native Americans and populated North America?

No. That the technologically superior Europeans dominated the Mesoamericans was probably inevitable; but the way they did it was unconscionable.

Is it ok Spain invaded Central America and created the Hispanic race?

This is a mixed bag, as some of the invasion was armed aggression, but some of it was simply settlement in sparsely-populated areas. As for the creation of the Hispanic race: much of that was intermarriage, some prostitution, some seduction, some rape. Each merits a separate moral judgment.

Is it ok everyone dies someday?

Again, a mixed judgment, depending on how they died. The fact that everyone dies does not translate into a right to commit murder.

None of these things are "ok" but that is the real world. Welcome to it.

Human beings have sufficient intellect and freedom of choice that they can be held responsible for their actions. This is what we mean when we say they are "moral actors" (as distinct from non-moral actors such as lions, volcanos, etc.) When human beings act in a way that violates moral law, they do not sink to the level of the animal (bestial.) They sink to the level of the demonic. They make life hell for others; they create a kind of hell inside of themselves; and then they get hell hereafter as well. It's not a very good deal.

180 posted on 08/06/2005 4:05:33 PM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (What does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world but lose his own soul?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies ]


To: Mrs. Don-o
non-moral actors such as lions

Actually some animals have morals, lions being one of them. All animals that hunt in packs have behavior rules they must follow to continue to belong to the group. If a lion participating in a group hunt attempts to hide a kill from the group, that lion would be ejected. As a lone hunter they would not make as many kills and would not as likely pass on their genes and moral culture. That is the origin of morality in man as well.

The important thing is what morals really are: required rules to belong to a tribe, rules that further the tribe's existence in exchange for the many benefits of cooperative hunting. Different tribes experiment with different morals at different times. If the morals work, the tribe expands. Otherwise the tribe and their culture are soon wiped out.

Yes, morals are very important. But they only apply within the tribe. You may be a kind, caring, moral person, but you must also be willing to kill outsiders with abandon that threaten your tribe.

There are many experiments in morality going on in America today. Some changes would end up destroying our tribe. Saying that America will never again nuke civilians is an dangerous experiment. What would keep another country from starting a war with America knowing that only their military would be at risk?

182 posted on 08/06/2005 9:27:11 PM PDT by Reeses
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 180 | View Replies ]

To: Mrs. Don-o

'They sink to the level of the demonic. They make life hell for others; they create a kind of hell inside of themselves; and then they get hell hereafter as well. It's not a very good deal.'

So all who support or supported the destruction of Hiroshima/Nagasaki and those who ordered it are going to hell? Like to see that source document.


200 posted on 08/07/2005 11:39:57 AM PDT by xone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 180 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson