"Well, just to move this along I will declare an absolute moral principle. “To have a positive regard for the well being of one’s self and others.”"
This is certainly a principle that many people hold in subjective variability. The conduct deriving therefrom would be subjectively assessed by various people holding subjective and contradictory opinions of "good" and "evil". The question is not whether people have principles; nor is the question whether basic biological principles (the urge to survive and the desire to avoid suffering, for instance) find common ground in the thoughts of people. There is nothing extraordinary in either these questions or these observations. The question, though, is simply this: Is the desire for well being a natural human principle? and is it one sensible to human concerns, interests, and biology? Or is such a principle external to human concern--invented by some supernatural entity?
Certainly, there is sufficient rationale in human biology and human society to suggest that all human principles are indeed pertinent to the subjective self interest of humans. As I have already said to you: unless you have information that moral principles were NOT invented by humans for humans, then Occam's razor would indicate that positing such an opinion as you did is sheerest fancy. I noticed that it was YOU who declared an "absolute moral principle". So we have it only on your authority that you did not learn this principle from yourself and other human beings but rather from an Absolute Source apart from human consciousness.
"I don’t think I was clear enough on distinguishing what qualifies as an absolute. Values do not."
Almost without exception, those who argue either relative morality or absolute morality are considering the values and principles which inform and guide human conduct.
Let me also point out that the principle which you have thought out as a human being is relatively devoid of principle or sensible meaning. Do you mean an EQUALLY positive regard for the well being of self and others? It must be obvious to you that people are often opposed in their interests, and that they form myriad groups of families, communities, and Nations to give preference to the well being of self OVER others. The "principle" of feeling a desire for the "well being" of others seems rather empty of principle when one considers the oh so obvious fact that people treat one another differently and regard one another in accordance with subjective values. Nothing consistent about it. How many people even give a hoot about the "well being" of some rapist and killer who has just brutalized their daughter? And even if they did--even if ALL of us did--how does that demonstrate that the priniciple comes from the ether?
You have not provided any evidence that the principle of having "a positive regard for the well being of one's self and others" originates in some supernatural realm; nor have you even demonstrated that such a vague and contrived feeling (of "regard") has any moral substance.
"Like wise an absolute principle exists whether you, I, or kholt is there to detect it and chose to internalize it or not."
Millions of experiments have been done on the nature of sound. It can be discussed on the basis of objective data. You have not offered one experiment for our appraisal and consideration as regards your assertion that an absolute principle exists. You offer only the assertion itself--over and over and over again. You might just as well shout to me that ants built the moon. If you offer me no proof, then on what basis should I believe you...and not believe ALL random assertions??
"I chose, ‘have a positive regard for one’s well-being and the well being of others’ as an absolute moral that we can use to determine the goodness/badness or neutrality of conduct"
I know you "chose" it, LOL! It is a principle which you have decided makes sense to you. As I have demonstrated...I don't think it makes sense at all. But regardless, the sensibility of your principle has nothing to do with whether or not it expresses human thought, or whether instead it exists apart from humans in some imagined realm. |
