“Moral absolutes.”
” Absolute in what sense?”
A moral absolute is an ideal of principle in an uncontaminated, albeit abstract form. It is able to transcend events and circumstances of the spacio-temporal universe.
”If such a thing were stated, how would we recognize it?”
Pretty much everyone knows it when they see it. In my experience many stated “moral standards” are recognized across cultures, times, and societies. Therefore I am comfortable with the term “self evident.” However, other people might prefer another term.
Example: It is good to be charitable, is a moral absolute.
What does that mean? It means benevolent giving, kindness, or goodwill toward another is a good thing in and of itself.
Is it an absolute good? Yes. When or under what circumstance would you label someone who was engaged in benevolent giving, kindness, or goodwill as bad.
So, charity is an absolute standard of good.
Is it possible for a charitable intent or a charitable act to bring about a chain of events that are bad; or, for the charitable intention to backfire on the benevolent giver? Of course, it happens all the time.
Is it possible for us to mistake what appears to be charity, and thus good, for something that is corrupt, greedy, deceitful, etc. and thus bad? Of course, that happens all the time as well.
Do we still prefer to identify charity as good? Absolutely. |
