Man evolved equal?

[KCfromNC]

Everything comes down to our subjective understanding. The subjectivity of our opinions is the only thing which can be appealed to in a discussion where the exact topic in question is one which begs ones feelings.

This is basically admitting there's no reason to believe in an objective standard of morality here in our reality. We could live in a world where objective moral standards could be measured just like other things - for example, the speed of light or the mass of a liter of water. But as you admit here that's not the reality we actually live in. Understanding that means that you have to reject the idea that we have some sort of objective external reference for right and wrong.

 

[KCfromNC]

Thanks for your responses.

What do you base your morality on? Why do you feel certain things to be right while others are wrong?

A combination of genetics, conditioning, brain chemistry and environment, just like everything else the brain does. Feelings aren't exactly something which can be easily explained, though. Did you mean to ask what is the reasoning behind my views on the morality of certain actions? If so, you'll have to be more specific.

 

[durangodawood]

Durandongawood, let me show you 2 quotes of you. In my opinion, they are a little at odds with each other. They are even on the same page of the thread.





This is something I have seen quite often on this board (though not by non-christians, until now):

"Behaviour X isn't natural, even animals wouldn't do such a thing, so it's wrong."
*Evidence of animals doing X*
"Well, obviously we aren't animals, so doing things that animals do would be wrong."

I never said that any behavior animals do is OK for humans.

Humans have certain behaviors that are as natural to them as lion behavior is to lions. That does NOT mean its ok to for humans to live like lions. It an analogy.

 

[HitchSlap]

If God did not grant us all with a soul created in His image, then we are the mere product of random evolution (I'm not saying that evolution did or did not happen by the way). But if evolution did occur AND there is no God who grants us a soul, then there is no sense in saying that we are all equal as people. The thought that random, unethical, cold, and uncaring biochemical chance produced a bunch of beings that are completely equal to each other is absurd.

Discuss

I find it odd that you would confer certain rights for some and not others. I think deep down you know you're better than that.

 

[Nithavela]

Humans have certain behaviors that are as natural to them as lion behavior is to lions. That does NOT mean its ok to for humans to live like lions. It an analogy.

If killing other humans is not natural behaviour for humans, why do people kill each other, then? In any culture in any time of history. And did so since the dawn of time (we have found many bones and other remains of 'cavemen' which betray evidence of murder, or ritualistic killing).

Chimpanzees kill each other too, by the way. Bonobos have sex, instead. Guess which one we are closer related to. ^^

 

[durangodawood]

If killing other humans is not natural behaviour for humans, why do people kill each other, then? In any culture in any time of history. And did so since the dawn of time (we have found many bones and other remains of 'cavemen' which betray evidence of murder, or ritualistic killing).

Chimpanzees kill each other too, by the way. Bonobos have sex, instead. Guess which one we are closer related to. ^^

Did I say killing is not natural?

What I said is lion behavior is NOT an indicator of whats natural for humans.

Of course people kill each other. War is very natural to human culture. Protect and promote yours, kill the others. But thats changing....

 

[Strathos]

Are you familiar with theistic evolution?

 

[durangodawood]

Are you familiar with theistic evolution?

Who, me?

 

[Nithavela]

Ì'm sorry, I don't get it.

What is it exactly that you tried to say with

At the root, the human moral against murder is a fact of animal behavior. As such, its objective.

 

[Sectio Aurea]

The thought that random, unethical, cold, and uncaring biochemical chance produced a bunch of beings that are completely equal to each other is absurd.

Discuss

So are you ok with the thought that random,unethical,cold, and uncaring biochemical chance produced a bunch of beings?

Or is it just the equality aspect that you find absurd?

 

[Strathos]

Who, me?

The OP

 

[durangodawood]

Ì'm sorry, I don't get it.

What is it exactly that you tried to say with

Basically, human morals, rules for behavior, are subject to scientific scrutiny, like the behavior of other animals. And not just the rules themselves, but their basis.

Murder, like you mention, is a classic example to use. Human life would simply grind down if everyone felt in danger of being killed by thier family members or neighbors at any time. Human social life would be nearly unsustainable in those conditions. Hence a strong moral against murder, with a basis in objective facts about living.

 

[selfinflikted]

Murder, like you mention, is a classic example to use. Human life would simply grind down if everyone felt in danger of being killed by thier family members or neighbors at any time. Human social life would be nearly unsustainable in those conditions. Hence a strong moral against murder, with a basis in objective facts about living.

I don't believe that's the case. I think everyone is not running around killing everyone else because humans have developed a certain level of empathy and compassion. I don't think it has a thing to do with "objective facts about living" however true it may be that the quality of life would be horrible if everyone was a vicious killer. I think, simply put, most people aren't killing other people because they don't want to be killed themselves.

 

[durangodawood]

I don't believe that's the case. I think everyone is not running around killing everyone else because humans have developed a certain level of empathy and compassion. I don't think it has a thing to do with "objective facts about living" however true it may be that the quality of life would be horrible if everyone was a vicious killer. I think, simply put, most people aren't killing other people because they don't want to be killed themselves.

I dont see how that contradicts anything Ive said.

People not wanting to be killed at any moment is a natural fact of being human. Its not a matter of taste or opinion.

 

[Sectio Aurea]

So are you in the world, or of the world?

Is the OP even here? He asked to discuss...

I count at least 20 posts that he has failed to acknowledge.

 

[rsduncan]

Evolution: the hottest hand of craps in the history of the universe...

 

[evoeth]

Evolution: the hottest hand of craps in the history of the universe...

In what sense?

 

[rsduncan]

No Designer: random sequence of events.

Development of higher forms of life from lower forms: analogous to the systematic pressing of place/come bets.

Just our dumb luck we are here, if we take the word of "progressivism", atheism and science...

 

[Gadarene]

No Designer: random sequence of events.

Natural selection isn't random.

Development of higher forms of life from lower forms: analogous to the systematic pressing of place/come bets.

Just our dumb luck we are here, if we take the word of "progressivism", atheism and science...

And?

 

[rsduncan]

Aren't you leaving out a few events: such as the formation of the Earth... (et al.) ...and the events that took place at the beginning of this universe???