As usual the definition of morality can differ from person to another -just like any other value- So, let us try to reach for an agreement on its meaning. ๐
But first, There is something to mention about morality before getting in details. Morality isn’t exclusively religious act, all people must be moral whatever his religious beliefs is. So, there is no religion that has more morality than other. All religions have given very moral men and women. Nobody can deny that fact. So, I can say that morality isn’t a religion dependent. It’s a personal value.
So, where does morality come from?
Not religion ๐ . However, many good saying and moral values came from religion and prophets’ actions and sayings. That’s because they were great people who lived with high morality.
I think it comes from our mind and thoughts and what’s our inner self is telling us to do.
So, How to detect the moral action?
I will quote what a German philosopher said about it. He gave two good measurement tools -if it possible to call them that- ๐
The first is Universalization
- He said let’s universalize any action and look for the outcome. So, If all people around the world are lying, the truth will never exist, you can’t ask anybody for anything because you will never hear a truth. You can’t ask for directions. Imagine the absence of truth. That’s why he could say lying is immoral.
- That’s when other philosopher said that is stupid. That other philosopher said that there are sometimes that we must lie and lying in these situation is the moral choice. He made a situation in which a killer is running after a friend of his and this friend came to his house. The door knocked and it was the killer who is running after his friend and he is asking for his victim. So, no way I will tell the killer “here is my friend, enjoy the kill” ๐ And he is completely right
- Now, I have an opinion, It’s about the situation. You can’t universalize anything without the situation. In this situation, I will lie to the killer knowing I am being moral in this situation. Also, this lying of mine will prevent the bad consequences of me telling the truth. Lying in this situation is good for my friend and his pursuer. And that takes us to the second tool ๐
Think of others as an end not a mean
- That the second tool that our first German philosopher added, which tell us to care about others benefits and never use them as a tool for further goal of ours.
- When we apply this second tool and the “friendย pursuer example” it fits perfectly. Telling the pursuer the lie is in his favour and my friend’s too. Also, it is thinking of the pursuer as an end. Telling him the lie will save him from any bad consequences in the future and I am not using him for anything while saving my friend’s life ๐
That was a way of thinking about morality depending on pure logic only without any dependence on religion
Not bad trail -I think-
What’s your thoughts?
This is very thought provoking. Love it!
Yeah, I like this stuff. Glad ๐ you like it.
Very interesting article.
I find it fascinating that when morals are brought into conversation, religion is automatically linked to them. I don’t have a problem with that- far from it.
I do, however, believe that morals and religion do not go hand in hand, and that morals can easily exist without religion. I, personally, am an atheist, however I still uphold my morals to the same degree (if not higher), as my religious friends.
Very thought provoking- thanks!
Chloe
Exactly, This is my goal. We don’t have to be religious or have a specific belief to be moral. Being moral is a choice and it isn’t linked to religious background.