Objective Morality (Once More Into The Breach)

[Tassman]

It is immaterial so it is non-spatial.

If the 'soul' is immaterial and non-special, how do you know it exists?

[Tassman]

For us, maybe, but why should our interests trump the interests of other species?

The interests of all species trump the interests of other species.

Certainly, so we are maximizing self-interest, with a view to the risk involved. But this would not be what most people would think of as moral behavior.

What do you think of as moral behaviour? Morals are just rules of behaviour deriving from the instinctive need for self-preservation and procreation.

[seer]

If the 'soul' is immaterial and non-special, how do you know it exists?

The same way Shuny does, based on Revelation.

[JimL]

The same way Shuny does, based on Revelation.

So your body is here in space right, in Connecticut. I'm assuming that your soul hangs out with you in Connecticut, no?

[seer]

So your body is here in space right, in Connecticut. I'm assuming that your soul hangs out with you in Connecticut, no?

Well yes, unless it gets hungry and takes off for NY pizza! I hate when that happens!

[shunyadragon]

Well yes, unless it gets hungry and takes off for NY pizza! I hate when that happens!

I just go down a few blocks to Anna Maria's Pizzeria for New York Pizza in Hillsborough, NC.

[seer]

I just go down a few blocks to Anna Maria's Pizzeria for New York Pizza in Hillsborough, NC.

Sorry Shuny, there is no such thing as real pizza in NC, just bread dough with ketchup...

[JimL]

Well yes, unless it gets hungry and takes off for NY pizza! I hate when that happens!

Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but seriously, if the your soul exists together with your body wherever you are as you move about in space, then to say that it isn't spatial doesn't make sense, does it?

[lee_merrill]

why should our interests trump the interests of other species?

This is natural expected behavior in the evolution for a given species, or even population within a species that their interests trump the interests of other species, and at times groups within species.

Well, that's "what", what I need to know is "why".

... so we are maximizing self-interest, with a view to the risk involved. But this would not be what most people would think of as moral behavior.

Nonetheless it is the motivation for moral behavior, and not moral behavior itself. The same goes for cooperative behavior within a group is a motivation for moral behavior for mutual interest. This behavior is wide spread in the animal kingdom, as in primates, and pack hunting animals like wolves.

Selfishness is the motive for moral behavior?! I protest...

Blessings,
Lee

[lee_merrill]

For us, maybe, but why should our interests trump the interests of other species?

The interests of all species trump the interests of other species.

May the Force be with you? But I was inquiring as to why we get special priority over other species.

Certainly, so we are maximizing self-interest, with a view to the risk involved. But this would not be what most people would think of as moral behavior.

What do you think of as moral behaviour?

"Love your neighbor as yourself." This precludes an essentially selfish motive.

Morals are just rules of behaviour deriving from the instinctive need for self-preservation and procreation.

I don't think such instincts can get that far, thus the discussion here, where we seem to have arrived at enlightened self-interest.

Best wishes,
Lee

[Tassman]

May the Force be with you? But I was inquiring as to why we get special priority over other species.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." This precludes an essentially selfish motive.

This is why instinctive reciprocity and altruism is so deeply ingrained in our psyche. The Golden Rule is found enshrined in virtually every culture throughout human history, long predating Jesus.

I don't think such instincts can get that far, thus the discussion here, where we seem to have arrived at enlightened self-interest.

Our morality is grounded in the instinctive need for self-preservation and procreation. It doesn't exist to make God happy.

[Tassman]

The same way Shuny does, based on Revelation.

One man's "revelation" is another man's mythology.

[seer]

Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but seriously, if the your soul exists together with your body wherever you are as you move about in space, then to say that it isn't spatial doesn't make sense, does it?

Well yes, it could be non-spatial in that it is not material, like I suggested in the past - the magnet is the physical brain, the magnetic force around the magnet is the mind/soul. The magnet has a physical dimension, the magnetic force not so much even though it depends on the magnet.

[lee_merrill]

Indeed, there is no special place for humans in instinctive morality.

This is why instinctive reciprocity and altruism is so deeply ingrained in our psyche. The Golden Rule is found enshrined in virtually every culture throughout human history, long predating Jesus.

The standard is ingrained in us, yes, but altruism, not so much. Otherwise, we wouldn't need teachers to point out our shortcomings.

Our morality is grounded in the instinctive need for self-preservation and procreation.

But I don't think instincts can get as far as altruism, enlightened self-interest won't give up itself.

Best wishes,
Lee

[JimL]

Well yes, it could be non-spatial in that it is not material, like I suggested in the past - the magnet is the physical brain, the magnetic force around the magnet is the mind/soul. The magnet has a physical dimension, the magnetic force not so much even though it depends on the magnet.

Seems to me that if what you define as the soul, exists along with your body and moves about in space, then no matter how else you might want to define it, it is spatial.