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To: AustinBill

It depends

If you cite the so-called "Golden Rule" because Jesus (God) said it, and embrace everything else He said as well, then this is a Category 2 position.

If you just happen to like that one, pick it, reject the rest, then we're in Category 1. You're still the source; you're just quoting someone else.

What distinguishes the two positions is not utility, but authority-source.

Dan


22 posted on 02/26/2006 8:09:33 AM PST by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: BibChr
One could certainly take that position, however the utility value of a proposition is independent of who states it. Adults do not believe that 2 + 2 = 4 or that placing one's hand in a fire is not a good idea because a respected authority said so. A child may require guidance from an external authority such as a parent or teacher in this area until he or she reaches a level of maturity whereby they can internalize and perceive the value for themselves, but self-governance is one of the hallmarks that distinguishes children from adults.

Appeals to divine authority inevitably lead to clashes over interpretation. One need not reach as far as the murderer who maintains that "God told him" to kill to see the difficulties here. The fact that there are dozens of Christian denominations divided along interpretational boundaries shows this.

Ultimately our values are based on our choices and are statements to the world as to who we are and choose to be. A man who does not kill or destroy simply because he fears the consequences of his actions (civil or divine) is one who might be equally at ease reversing his position if he came to believe that his guiding external authority had changed its mind, or that circumstances warranted a different reading of a relevant text. One need not search far for relevant examples of this phenomenon.

When groups of individuals choose to share similar values one has the basis for a society. Choices of doubtful utility tend to produce societies which do not last very long. It doesn't take divine insight to see, for example, that a society which values only present enjoyment and can't be bothered with the burdens of reproducing itself and rearing children isn't likely to endure.
39 posted on 02/26/2006 12:16:34 PM PST by AustinBill (consequence is what makes our choices real)
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