The Evolution of Morality

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

ThinkForYourself said:
Hitler was Catholic, so he is almost certainly going to heaven.

Surely the Christian God doesn't allow evil people in heaven?

You have such a strange idea of Christianity. Ok, Hitler was raised Catholic, at least his mother was Catholic. However, being raised in a Christian home (regardless of different branches thereof) does not ensure going to heaven. It is an individual decision that one must make and it rests on the individual alone.

All people are evil in the site of God. All are sinners. We sin due to our free agency. NO one would be in heaven if it were not for Jesus and His death on the cross.

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

Loudmouth said:
The principle is based on subjectivity, as you clearly state.

Except I didn't say that....

Others thought he was good, and that his actions were justified.

Your point?

Why don't you show us the objectivity morality that allows us to determine that.

So you are saying that either way it is moral?

ThinkForYourself · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
You have such a strange idea of Christianity. Ok, Hitler was raised Catholic, at least his mother was Catholic. However, being raised in a Christian home (regardless of different branches thereof) does not ensure going to heaven. It is an individual decision that one must make and it rests on the individual alone.

All people are evil in the site of God. All are sinners. We sin due to our free agency. NO one would be in heaven if it were not for Jesus and His death on the cross.

OK, so Hitler is probably in Heaven. Thanks for confirming.

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

Loudmouth said:
Of course it addresses morality. Morality is a product of our brains, and our brains are the product of evolution. The emotions that we feel and the bonds we form with other humans is a direct product of our evolutionary history. The reason that humans have an instinctual response to fairness and morality is due to our evolutionary heritage.

What empirical evidence do you have that substantiates that morality is a product of evolution passed on through our genes?

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

ThinkForYourself said:
OK, so Hitler is probably in Heaven. Thanks for confirming.

How did you come to that conclusion from what I wrote?

HitchSlap · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
What empirical evidence do you have that substantiates that morality is a product of evolution passed on through our genes?

Well, for starters, it's been observed not just in humans, but a wide variety of mammalian species. It's pretty obvious compassion (cornerstone of moral values) is not strictly a human trait.

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

HitchSlap said:
Well, for starters, it's been observed not just in humans, but a wide variety of mammalian species. It's pretty obvious compassion (cornerstone of moral values) is not strictly a human trait.

It has been shown in other species as well, but that doesn't provide empirical evidence that morality is the product of evolution.

ThinkForYourself · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
How did you come to that conclusion from what I wrote?

Because Hitler was Catholic, and probably repented before he died.

If he did, doesn't that mean Hitler goes to heaven?

HitchSlap · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
It has been shown in other species as well, but that doesn't provide empirical evidence that morality is the product of evolution.

Observation is one of the hallmarks of the scientific method. It's left to us to draw reasonable conclusions.

HitchSlap · Nov 21, 2013

ThinkForYourself said:
Because Hitler was Catholic, and probably repented before he died.

If he did, doesn't that mean Hitler goes to heaven?

Colloquially known as a "deathbed conversion."

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

ThinkForYourself said:
Because Hitler was Catholic, and probably repented before he died.

If he did, doesn't that mean Hitler goes to heaven?

That is a different matter, that is not what you originally said. If Hitler asked forgiveness and accepted Christ as his Savior then yes, he is in heaven.

bhsmte · Nov 21, 2013

HitchSlap said:
Colloquially known as a "deathbed conversion."

This is why international studies have show as people age and get closer to death, they tend to increase their belief in God.

They get a little scared and want to cover their bases.

bhsmte · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
That is a different matter, that is not what you originally said. If Hitler asked forgiveness and accepted Christ as his Savior then yes, he is in heaven.

And if a person never accepts Christ, do they go to hell?

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

HitchSlap said:
Observation is one of the hallmarks of the scientific method. It's left to us to draw reasonable conclusions.

Yet, we don't observe the evolution of morality do we? We may draw reasonable conclusions that are false as well. So what empirical evidence so we have for the evolutionary process of morality?

ThinkForYourself · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
That is a different matter, that is not what you originally said. If Hitler asked forgiveness and accepted Christ as his Savior then yes, he is in heaven.

If babies weren't baptized and havent accepted Jesus as their saviour, aren't they full of sin, and going to Hell?

bhsmte · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
That is a different matter, that is not what you originally said. If Hitler asked forgiveness and accepted Christ as his Savior then yes, he is in heaven.

What is your opinion on the morality behind Hitler being able to go to heaven after the suffering he inflicted and someone who led a much better life not going to heaven?

Loudmouth · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
Yet, we don't observe the evolution of morality do we?

We observe it in humans.

So what empirical evidence so we have for the evolutionary process of morality?

Morality is the product of the brain, and the brain has evolved.

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

bhsmte said:
And if a person never accepts Christ, do they go to hell?

Yes.

Loudmouth · Nov 21, 2013

Oncedeceived said:
What empirical evidence do you have that substantiates that morality is a product of evolution passed on through our genes?

It is the same evidence that the rest of our body and functions evolved. Our sense of morality is no different than the other instinctual behaviors we have, and they are products of our evolutionary past.

Oncedeceived · Nov 21, 2013

Loudmouth said:
We observe it in humans.

What about other animals?

Morality is the product of the brain, and the brain has evolved.

How do you know morality is a product of the brain?

The Evolution of Morality

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