FlowerPower
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1) The natural sciences are governed by a set of ubiquitous laws that dictate every cause-effect event in the universe. These laws are stable and absolute. Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of the universe.
2) There is no real difference between natural sciences and ethics.
3) Ethics then, must be governed by a set of ubiquitous laws that dictate every cause-effect event in humanity. These laws are stable and absolute. Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of ethics.
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so far I am with you.
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If statement #3 is true, we would expect that an action would be countered with a consistent effect - in every case.
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Why is that?
I certainly do not think so.
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We all know that this is not the case in this "realm". Innocent people are put to death for crimes they did not commit. Rapists, and murderers walk the streets free.
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Unfortunately that is true. Unfortunately, people commit crimes.
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belief in another "realm" coincides with the belief in the afterlife and God.
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That also is not true. those two do not coincide.
For example, how about the Platonic realm of Ideas? (no God there)
That kind of realm of absolute truths is actually what I am thinking of.
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4) God has one ubiquitous set of laws governing human ethics. These laws are stable and absolute. We can never hope to fully understand these laws. We can do whatever we wish here on earth but will be subject to the effects of our actions in the afterlife when we are judged.
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I am not a believer in that sense.
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My problem with statement #4 is this: if every person is subject to the same law for their ethical actions in life on earth, why is there so much dissent when it comes to agreement upon what those laws are?
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If the above rationale you described were true, maybe because
"Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of ethics. "
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More importantly, what evidence do you have that the ethical laws you believe are "correct" are more accurate that the laws somebody else believes are "correct"?
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I do not have evidence for that, except for that which I defended in my piece on ethics (see thread in "philosophy>ethics, morals, justice>A basis for rational and objective ethics" ).
Again: my insight may be clouded. And it is the only insight I can trust. That applies also to you, and to everybody else. Therefor, I think Equality is very well defendable.
Relativism, however is not.
A question: do you love somebody?
Maybe you will understand my problems with relativism if you do.
May all your days be happy ones.
Merlijn
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1) The natural sciences are governed by a set of ubiquitous laws that dictate every cause-effect event in the universe. These laws are stable and absolute. Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of the universe.
2) There is no real difference between natural sciences and ethics.
3) Ethics then, must be governed by a set of ubiquitous laws that dictate every cause-effect event in humanity. These laws are stable and absolute. Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of ethics.
===
so far I am with you.
===
If statement #3 is true, we would expect that an action would be countered with a consistent effect - in every case.
==
Why is that?
I certainly do not think so.
===
We all know that this is not the case in this "realm". Innocent people are put to death for crimes they did not commit. Rapists, and murderers walk the streets free.
===
Unfortunately that is true. Unfortunately, people commit crimes.
===
belief in another "realm" coincides with the belief in the afterlife and God.
===
That also is not true. those two do not coincide.
For example, how about the Platonic realm of Ideas? (no God there)
That kind of realm of absolute truths is actually what I am thinking of.
===
4) God has one ubiquitous set of laws governing human ethics. These laws are stable and absolute. We can never hope to fully understand these laws. We can do whatever we wish here on earth but will be subject to the effects of our actions in the afterlife when we are judged.
====
I am not a believer in that sense.
===
My problem with statement #4 is this: if every person is subject to the same law for their ethical actions in life on earth, why is there so much dissent when it comes to agreement upon what those laws are?
===
If the above rationale you described were true, maybe because
"Humanity will never fully understand or characterize fundamental laws of ethics. "
===
More importantly, what evidence do you have that the ethical laws you believe are "correct" are more accurate that the laws somebody else believes are "correct"?
===
I do not have evidence for that, except for that which I defended in my piece on ethics (see thread in "philosophy>ethics, morals, justice>A basis for rational and objective ethics" ).
Again: my insight may be clouded. And it is the only insight I can trust. That applies also to you, and to everybody else. Therefor, I think Equality is very well defendable.
Relativism, however is not.
A question: do you love somebody?
Maybe you will understand my problems with relativism if you do.
May all your days be happy ones.
Merlijn