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

Skip to comments.

Morality: Who Needs God?
AISH ^ | N/A | by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Posted on 02/26/2003 7:19:40 AM PST by Nix 2

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480481-492 last
To: laredo44
Laredo, I can't continue to debate someone who has no understanding of moral philosophy.

Let me ask you this question: does 2+2 = "virtue"? Does "virtue" = 4? I'm starting to believe that libertarianism is a product of stupidity, not intelligence.

If you get the time, look up the fact-value problem.

481 posted on 03/10/2003 7:43:36 AM PST by HumanaeVitae
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 478 | View Replies]

To: freeeee
People who think God talks to them and tells them to go kill other people belong in the same place as people who think they're Napoleon.

And people who think they know all?

482 posted on 03/17/2003 9:00:52 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: laredo44
Who defines rational?

men with an interest at stake?
483 posted on 03/17/2003 9:04:16 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 171 | View Replies]

To: steve-b
so we need a better way to evaluate moral claims than "because God says so

like I say so?

or Hitler says so?

or you say so?

It is all relative inside mans own head.

484 posted on 03/17/2003 9:07:41 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies]

To: HumanaeVitae
I read your post

I then clicked "View Replies"

I found this stirring rebuttal at the other end

"No replies."
485 posted on 03/17/2003 9:10:30 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies]

To: OWK
As a subscriber to the no force, no fraud sect I must ask that you clarify you stance.

Do you believe that some animals and plants hold lesser status to yourself. A status that allows by your standards the initiated force necessary to take a life of such.
486 posted on 03/17/2003 9:27:20 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: CyberCowboy777
What I'm saying is that the "no force or fraud or coercion" stance allows all kinds of things, like personal ownership of nuclear weapons, and voluntarily contracted cannibalism.

It's not the most tenable political system.

487 posted on 03/17/2003 9:50:04 AM PST by HumanaeVitae
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 486 | View Replies]

To: CyberCowboy777
Do you believe that some animals and plants hold lesser status to yourself. A status that allows by your standards the initiated force necessary to take a life of such.

Yes.

(I'll explain why, if you're interested)

488 posted on 03/17/2003 12:23:25 PM PST by OWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 486 | View Replies]

To: OWK
Yes

why are some plants and animals okay to initiate force against. To Kill.
489 posted on 03/17/2003 12:58:15 PM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 488 | View Replies]

To: CyberCowboy777
Rights are transactional and reciprocal. They operate by consent.

In order to transact in rights, individuals must be possessed of the faculties necessary to comprehend that which is being consented to.

Non-human animals and plants (lacking the ability to comprehend, much less consent) cannot transact in rights.

Human beings which do not have these faculties (children, the mentally ill, the profoundly retarded, etc..) also lack the ability to transact in rights. But in recognition of their human potential, we appoint a steward (typically a parent or guardian) to advocate those rights for them by proxy, until such time as they develop the capactity themselves (if ever).
490 posted on 03/18/2003 7:26:15 AM PST by OWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 489 | View Replies]

To: OWK
Is that not a moral judgment call? A reasoned position on morality.

Who is then to say that I am wrong when I say that I reason that all animals have equal rights?

Your position is based on an assume level of hierarchy, that because we are human we hold some special rights. Rights above other living creatures.

Some reason that there is no hierarchy and you really have no authority to say they are wrong as your basis is made up, a reasoned belief in a non-fact. As would be their position.

Your position is based entirely on conjecture. To say that rights operate by consent is to infer from inconclusive evidence.

By your standards of conclusion anyone could reason differently and be morally correct.

Including Hitler who believed Jews were endowed with a lower level of rights, that they were lower on the level of hierarchy.

Of course he also based his opinion on a belief, having no authority or absolutes on which to base his conclusions.

Am I missing something? Where is the authority for your position. You must have some absolute by which you can tell a vegetarian that it is morally acceptable to kill an animal other than a human.
491 posted on 03/19/2003 12:54:45 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 490 | View Replies]

To: OWK; WaveThatFlag
We seem to have be interupted by a war.

Great conversation though.
492 posted on 04/04/2003 11:10:25 AM PST by CyberCowboy777 (In those days... Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 490 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480481-492 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

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