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To: edsheppa; Diamond; Alamo-Girl
Good is what makes people better off and evil is what makes them worse off.

Hi edsheppa! The above statement reduces morality to utility. Yet the moral law requires us to "do the right thing," regardless of utilitarian considerations. In a nutshell: The moral law says it is better to do the right thing even if it costs us, than to do the wrong thing and benefit from the wrong. Selfish people will tend to act for their own benefit regardless of considerations of how others may be harmed by their actions. Such behavior is justly condemned as immoral. A good and just society must condemn such behavior or the society would not long remain either good or just.

117 posted on 10/09/2007 8:23:37 AM PDT by betty boop (Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. -- Leonardo da Vinci)
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To: betty boop
Well, in a nutshell here is my actual position - morality is utilitarian rationality applied to innate human values and feelings and transmitted as culture (another innate human capability). Each of the three features is essential.

If you'll recall, the original claim was that atheists can give no rationally coherent and consistent account of their morality. Well, I think I have done so but it will ever be admitted.

121 posted on 10/09/2007 8:56:53 AM PDT by edsheppa
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