Is it possible that evidence exists but the mind is incapable of recognizing it
Without meaning to be overly sardonic: I would think that anything which the mind is incapable of recognizing might indeed be the hidden truth.
"So, is the mind any more capable of proving or disproving the existence of absolutes than the foot..."
This is one of the points I was making. The belief in moral absolutes is an extraordinary one by virtue of it being outside sense or observaton. I am not sure how it could be justified in any sensible way.
"The events of Sept.11 gave us many stories of people who "gave no thought" to their actions'"
This could not have been true in any literal sense. They all acted in accordance with the internal belief structures which formed their character and personality. In these instances there were examples of duty; examples of virtue. There were those who ran and those who stayed. Many were religious and responded in a consistent manner with their understanding of religious duty. Many were cruel, many were selfish. Many thought only of self preservation. Others thought of saving loved ones--or even total strangers.
Generally in large scale disasters such as fires, we observe the worst of humanity: babies and children being crushed to death by grown people madly following the instinct of self preservation. We do not know the noble and the ignoble in this instance. We do not want to know. The tragedy is already beyond our ability to comprehend.
What explains the actions of a young child whose mind in not yet developed enough to have created his self image and individual identity?
All creatures have a biological blueprint. Nature and nurture interact in their development. Developmental psychologists have studied the process of learning and growth. It is all very interesting. But I would rather stay on the topic of ethics.
If absolutes (truth, love, beauty, god whatever) are eternal, i.e. timeless, not past or future, but in the moment, is it a coincidence that in those moments that we "give not thought", instincts seem to take over?
If thoughtlessness allows absolute truths to ride in on instinct; then fear, cruelty, violence, inhumanity, hate, and contempt are seated side by side with "love, beauty, god" (and) "whatever". I cannot prove to you that "love" or "hate" are not absolutes. But I see no reason to believe that they are; and, besides--they are easily explained without imagining a supernatural world to overlay the familiar one we live and study in.
Humankind have proved capable of a nobility, generosity, benevolence and compassion. These balance base and puerile qualities on the other end.
These qualities are not the less for being freely chosen and owned. Responsibility is a fundamental concept in most, if not all cultures.
I am not so much stirred by the various instincts which create thoughtless responses such as fight or flight, as I am by the actions of free people who know what it is that they value, and whose values were chosen thoughtfully and earnestly--and not merely adopted through fear of, or obeisance to, authority.
I am moved by those who have the courage to think.
I have not seen you before. Welcome. |
