- Anything Else -

A fine question, Stuart

In Reply to: Morality posted by Stuart Gort on November 05, 1999 at 15:35:41:

That is a fine question, and it requires a thoughtful answer. I'd rather be able to discuss it with you face to face, rather than over a time delayed chat board which hinders intellectual give and take. Let me say briefly, however, that my moral worldview may have been influenced by things such as codified law and majority opinion (this no doubt affects all of us), and perhaps by the influence of major religions (I myself am not religious). The short answer is, it's what I feel is correct. But as I'm sure you can appreciate, I feel the way I do for very complex reasons, which would take time to both ponder, and then explain. Again, it's hard to do that over a forum like this.

My gut instinct when I see an animal in distress is to help it; I've felt that way for as long as I can. Ergo, I believe the human race would enoble itself if it treated all animals with kindness, even when doing so would deny us certain benefits, as in medical benefits. In fact, it is that sacrifice which represents the nobility and glory of being moral beings choosing mercy over cruelty, empathy over indifference.

Forgive me for not elaborating further.

Follow Ups:

• Good one! Stuart Gort USA November 07 1999 (3)
  • Faulty Logic Kevin Dempsey Canada November 09 1999 (0)
  • Ultimately, isn't morality always subjective? MDG USA November 08 1999 (0)
  • Perspective Nikhil Jaikumar DSA MA, USA November 08 1999 (0)