Different cultures

[hater0483]

Can anyone here explain how it may well be the case that two individuals, or two cultures, who make different judgements concerning an action or practice noneless hold to the same applicable moral principles?

 

[HRE]

Certain behaviors are beneficial for the survival of a species or population. The golden rule, for instance.

 

[feral]

I think that there are certain practises or behaviours which are universally understood to be right or wrong - issues like murder, for example. Also, even a cursory study of different religions will show a marked similiarity between their moral beliefs. Islam believes a lot of the same things as Christianity, which believes a lot of the same things as Judaism.

 

[feral]

...

 

[Hydra009]

Can anyone here explain how it may well be the case that two individuals, or two cultures, who make different judgements concerning an action or practice noneless hold to the same applicable moral principles?

IIRC, there was an example of this (the source escapes me, though) - one culture that buried their dead out of respect for the dead and another culture that ate their dead out of respect for the dead. The Greeks, who buried their dead, were appalled at the thought of eating their dead. The Callatians, who ate their dead, were appalled at the thought of buring their dead.

 

[Johnnz]

C S Lewis (Mere Christianity) used that fact to argue that there is an underlying moral basis to the universe, pointing to a common origin, which he then went on to argue was God.

John
NZ

 

[cabbitgrrrl]

C S Lewis (Mere Christianity) used that fact to argue that there is an underlying moral basis to the universe, pointing to a common origin, which he then went on to argue was God.

John
NZ

if thats the case, then why was practices such as human sacrifice so common in ancient times?

 

[TrueQ]

Perhaps the rules, like the geography of the planet and, come to think of it, the universe itself change over time?

 

[Asimov]

C S Lewis (Mere Christianity) used that fact to argue that there is an underlying moral basis to the universe, pointing to a common origin, which he then went on to argue was God.

John
NZ

There is no underlying moral basis to the universe. Morals are a human concept.

 

[Johnnz]

if thats the case, then why was practices such as human sacrifice so common in ancient times?

Awareness of moral failure is characteristic of most cultures throughout history. That's why sarifice was so common.

Various cultures follow to varying degrees their moral ideals. There are times when a culture can radically depart from values previously held (eg Nazi Germany)

The almost universal belief in moral values, and processes for appeasement through sacrifice need explanation. C S Lewis presented one. Most Christians would accept his basic position, and identify God as the source of both moral and physical principles and laws.

John
NZ

 

[Johnnz]

There is no underlying moral basis to the universe. Morals are a human concept.

So you accept that rape, sexual abuse of children, and giving aid to the poor are just expressions of personal opinions? And, you would not be deeply upset if someome stole your car or computer either?

John
NZ

 

[Dukey]

Can anyone here explain how it may well be the case that two individuals, or two cultures, who make different judgements concerning an action or practice noneless hold to the same applicable moral principles?

im not sure that thats possible