Morality

[Anonymous]

My sister was taking a philosophy and ethics course at school, and she was asking for my help a lot (in fact, a lot of her homework was my work rather than hers). Anyway, it got me thinking about ethics in general.

One of the things I ended up studying in order to help my sister with her homework, was the concept of primary precepts. According to her textbook, Thomas Aquinas, a Christian philosopher and theologian, suggested that there were five primary precepts of Christianity. Self-preservation and the preservation of the innocent, continuation of the species through reproduction, educating children, living in society and worshipping god.

The idea was, that different moral rules (secondary precepts) could be taken from these primary precepts that could tell Christians how to live a moral life. I'm not going to claim to be an expert on this, but this is what I picked up from the work.

So, my question to everyone is, are there main fundamental ideas that you base your morality on, and if so, what are they. For a Wiccan it might be that you have some rules based on the idea of 'An' it harm none; do as ye will' (and other various closing clauses of the Wiccan rede).

[Sebbi]

Though I abandoned a path that could be called Pagan years ago the Wiccan Rede (or at least, those two lines from it) is a big rule of thumb for me.

It's not an absolute law - you can't go through life not causing anyone harm. But it's a useful standard to stick to.

Another one is that I believe in complete and utter honesty, no matter how brutal it may be. That's a big influence on how I live my life.

Other than that I'm not much of a moralist. I believe in Amorality (not Immorality can I point out) which is the believe that morals themselves are human concepts and don't reflect the true nature of the world. While a useful tool in certain situations, they are not to be taken to heart.

Much Love
Sebbi

[Zenon]

Ethics and morality are not exclusive problems of religion.

Traditional Religion usually preocupies itself with setting up some kind of moral absolutism that is dogmatic.

I am more with Sebbi's definition of morals, in which morals  are set for a specific function in society.

[Fillionous]

Ok My first thought was a bit wicked  :twisted: ... so please excuse me... it went something like - well where are your morals with helping your sister so much... second ones were at least you where honest about helping (well at least to us) so much.

Anyway.. back to the question you asked - which is quite interesting and good for sorting out your core beliefs/morals.

In no particular order
Tread lightly on the world
Care for your fellows - family, friends and beyond
Truth and honesty in all things

There are probably some more... I'll have to keep working it out.
BE bright, be bold
Fillionous

[Sebbi]

Fillinious - what do you mean by "tread lightly on the world"?

I get the feeling you mean don't make too big marks (footprints?).

If that is what you mean I have mixed feeling on that (not for you, I'm not going to ask you to change you morals, but more generally). In some circumstances, it is best to go without being noticed but in other's it could be really constrictive. I think that's my artistic side - as a musician or actor, "treading lightly" would really hold you back I think, so that's probably the source of my discomfort with the idea.

I think we're told, a little too often, to thread lightly (especially as Brits) and in drama it's something that you need to unlearn to be able to take the risks you need to.

Anyway - I'll stop reading into things, what you might not even mean - what do you mean?

Much Love
Sebbi

[RedRonin]

Leave it better than you found it.

Regardless of what it is.

[Anonymous]

I would like to think that I would never intentionally hurt anyone or anything either emotionally or physically, with words or actions.

[TheBriarRose]

My morals are based on the following:

Treat others the way you want them to treat you.

To borrow the wording from Red, Leave it better than you found it.

Be responsible and accountable for everything you do, meaning that one chooses ones behavior at all times.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. There are some interesting view points.

I have two basic precepts that I base my morality on. The first is not to cause unnecessary harm. The second is not to impose my beliefs or morals.

I found the idea of 'harming none' a bit to vague, and though it still takes a degree of consideration to determine what is and isn't necessary harm, I find it to be a better rule of thumb.

[Anonymous]

Ok My first thought was a bit wicked  :twisted: ... so please excuse me... it went something like - well where are your morals with helping your sister so much... second ones were at least you where honest about helping (well at least to us) so much.

Well, she kept doing her usual thing of leaving homework until the last minute. I didn't want her to get kicked out of the class, and I was trying to get her motivated towards doing the work herself.

It turns out she ended up quitting the class anyway, because she said the workload was too much. I think, in future, I will use the tough love approach.