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Where does your personal morality derive from?

I have trouble thinking about an omnipotent individual, so I have focused on a theory of utilitarianism. What actions I take and see as the most moral at the moment as it's coming given all other possibilities, within “reason”.

“Utility: That property in any object, whereby it tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness ... [or] to prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil, or unhappiness to the party whose interest is considered.”

-Jeremey ₿entham

Dan Wedge 2y ago

I am inspired by nostr:npub132vp7xhrl2enqz65338jqe2vkrcax5zf339kdpymw059gcqpmjsq6fm80g and am curious on your own thoughts

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Discussion

The Satokespeare 2y ago

I am humbled that I could inspire you in any way. Thank you for thinking of me 💜

I believe utilitarianism is the moral philosophy most non-theists gravitate towards naturally. The best part of the philosophy is that it’s actually useful(duh!) as in, it could actually help people solve trolley problems.

But there are varying levels of trolley problems it utterly fails at. For example, suppose there’s a murderer, who gets caught, killing him and harvesting his organs could probably save 9 lives, is it moral to do so?

Utilitarian thinking maximising for ultimate human benefit would probably say yes.

So let’s take it a step further, if it’s a thief? Would it be moral to harvest their body then? Suppose the 9 lives being saved were some really important lives of some very consequential people that could benefit humanity greatly? Does it even matter in that case of wether the body we’re harvesting from is of a delinquent, and not just a random inconsequential fellow?

Idk what the right answer is tbh. I’m just stretching the concept of utilitarianism to the extremes so that we’re aware of the breaking points.

My personal philosophy is to live life as if “there’s a god”. They might not be omnipotent. Imagine you’re the main character of the tv show everyone is watching. Do you like the protagonist? This kind of thinking doesn’t answer any questions, but does help you become self aware of your actions, your actions should atleast be justifiable to yourself.

Sorry for the long answer, you touched a topic, as you rightly guessed, that I think about deeply 😅

Do read this book called Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene, it explores morality in a very reasonable manner. Very insightful.

Dan Wedge 2y ago

The trolley thought experiment shows the areas lacking in utility thinking as to the casual observer it looks like a cold thought pattern IMHO

I think the breaking point you mentioned is looked at in A Few Good Men and maybe they got it wrong casting Jack Nicolas as the antagonist. At a minimum the movie places more on civil law than moral standards.

I thought all morning about the way you live. It's one of inflection meant to live a good “moral life” one's beliefs of a higher being need not apply. The “golden rule” of treating others as you would like while prevalent I think can be expanded.

Would the “₿itcoin rule” be lift others humbly to provide value and to remove harm? The maximalists I think focus too dearly on removing harm at all costs.

I greatly appreciate your thinking and the beauty of Nostr is its long form when needed. I thank you for the book recommendation I also think you will find value in nostr:npub16as8gepztj9tvyx6n9y4h3cv3gaytgpl3g32jhcxlj6mcss72uaqjwg2tf s response

The Satokespeare 2y ago

I’m glad it gave you something to think about, I also went through nostr:npub16as8gepztj9tvyx6n9y4h3cv3gaytgpl3g32jhcxlj6mcss72uaqjwg2tf ‘s answers and I can confirm that the Gita is definitely a treasure trove of wisdom, although I’ve only read it in parts.