Principles of Morality

Principles of Morality. Randall Niles examines the conflicting concepts of moral relativism and universal truth as they are applied by many people today.

Whether we like it or not, were all haunted by a standard of decent behavior—the human conscience that sets us apart from the other creatures. The conscience is a fundamental part of the human experience. Through it, we have a basic understanding of the difference between right and wrong—good and evil.

Whether we admit it or not, our conscience requires a point of reference to determine the conscionable from the unconscionable. A functional conscience presupposes a standard of right and wrong—a true north from which we calibrate our moral compass and navigate our daily decisions.

It seems our human conscience and moral compass are basic realities of our human-ness. However, one question remains, Is the moral compass directing the human conscience more like music or math?

With music, there isnt a right or wrong choice. Its all a matter of personal preference. Some like country, some classical—some like rock, some rap. If morality were like music, there would be nothing inherently wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, rape, torture, murder, hypocrisy, disrespect, or anything else -- everything would be a matter of personal taste.

With math, theres only one right choice. We might arrive at different answers to the same equation, but theres only one right answer in the end. Either one of us is right and one of us is wrong, or were both wrong at this particular moment in time.

Based on logic and experience, I believe that morality is more like math than music. The obvious example of the shared moral equation is the Golden Rule. We find some variation of it everywhere, whether communicated through Socrates, Buddha, or Jesus Christ: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Living by a lesser moral standard is universal hypocrisy.

As most of us know, theres a philosophical trend to deny the universal nature of the moral impulse. However, its also apparent to most of us that the philosophical naysayers continually contradict themselves. They are quick to deny universal moral responsibilities, but they are just as quick to decry certain injustices in their own lives. The postmodern philosophers wax eloquently with their relativistic doctrine, and then argue that such and such is wrong or unfair in their own personal lives.

Do you see the silliness? The musical relativist points us to mathematical standards of cosmic fairness, human rights, and moral justice that were all supposed to share each and every day!

So, deep down, we all understand that we have a moral compass thats more like math than music. C.S. Lewis called it the Law of Decent Behavior, which compels and constrains us on a daily basis. Its the conscience that little voice in the deepest regions of self that cries out multiple times a day. And we know its not just a personal voice, but a shared voice thats somehow connected to something outside ourselves.

Visit http://www.allaboutthejourney.org to further explore profound questions of morality, existence, and God.

Also, go to http://www.RandallNiles.com/videos.htm to watch more videos on Principles of Morality such as moral relativism and universal truth.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Principles of Morality
• Morals
• Moral Relativism
• Absolute Truth
• Universal Truth
• Lewis
• Randall Niles
• Law of Descent Behavior

[shiningcross]

This argument, I think, will be the logical framework behind the judgment against the defiant. So in the end, the morality validity too will be there, but all that ever was needed is the fact that God gave the rules.

Great video, brother.

[Leiflton]

nah man, haven't you heard? truth isn't absolute anymore.

2 + 2 = 5 now.

yeah lol, it's totally hypocritical...

like Neitzsche, Marilyn manson etc...

they talk about the "will to power" just "claim it"

then when someone wrongs them, there is an outcry.

they are self-refuting!

but people still buy into it! because of justification and rationalization just like you said...everyone still knows the truth though. just gathering around themselves teachers cause of itching ears.

[Ferbguy101]

There's a difference between mortality and justice. Justice is when everyone gets what they deserve, mortality is the human perspective of how we "should" live. It's hard to bring out justice without perspective because of human emotion and intelligence but both of them are different things. 1 is how we should live, and the seconf is what we deserve. People usually connect them. So how do we know what we deserve? We don't, it's all perspective and your objecting to it. Your metaphor backfired

[jonathan8156]

wait a minute..so just becuase i believe hitler was wrong in causing the holcaust doesnt mean it was wrong?just becuase he thought it was right?woooooow u are such a great teacher man!!!(sarcasm) for those who think it is like music or personal opinion

[jonathan8156]

wait a minute..so just becuase i believe hitler was wrong in causing the holcaust doesnt mean it was wrong?just becuase he thought it was right?woooooow u are such a great teacher man!!!(sarcasm)

[Hufflewaffle]

What a mess.

Moral relativism implies that morality exists in relationships between people. You describe it as a kind of moral solipsism and then go on to advocate people behaving like units in a math problem.

Human life IS music. Hopefully one day you'll hear it.

[dramajoe]

Okay, now why don't you try this video once more where you present an argument other than ad hominem, appeal to tradition and/or authority, and bad analogy?

Or do you consider these all valid forms of argument?

[zlkimagenX]

@pang00lin

english please (<_<)

I don't understand what this post is trying to say but from what I gather. Evolution supports loveing your eneimies, forgiving others, and looking out for the weak.

The lions killing cubs out in africa seem to disagree. Evolution is about doing what ever you can to survive, survivle of the fittest. Why then do we spend millions of dollars looking after the hindcap? Becuase human morality is more than about merely surviveing. Its origens are divine.

[EvilGothGuy]

hm just found these videos fairly interesting. I just do what best benefits my life at the given moment. I don't see things in right or wrong or good and evil. I have things I wouldn't do, but I wouldn't say they are evil they just aren't things that I choose to do. Then on the other hand I have things I wouldn't normally do but given the right line I would do them if my life depended on it.

[theaggravator]

Name calling? LOL! Hardly,

MY initial statement to you laid it all out, you started projecting with the "name calling" and juvenile mockery.

I never call people names nor engage in "ad hominem" attacks, I merely discern the facts and lay them out - if you can't handle the truth, that's your problem little boy.

[fraterla93y]

Further calling of names doesn't show your position to be correct. Actually addressing the arguments I stated would, provided there indeed happen to be any valid counterarguments, that is.

[HumanitysAdvocate]

Naturally you wouldn't see my point, being you're such a stupid little hubris juvenile.