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Moral Relativism
Sep. 8th, 2004 06:27 pmRight and wrong are such interesting ideas, aren't they?
You know, I bet you could find a million people out there who are in favor of executing criminals because that's a sad necessity, while they are against abortion because it's morally wrong and because they want to protect the sanctity of human life. And you could find another million who see things in exactly the opposite direction.
Both millions are certain, to the point of smugness, that they own sole title to the moral high ground. Both sides, in spite of the paradox of their beliefs, believe they adhere to absolute moral standards.
Look at all the words we apply to the simple act of killing to try to kid ourselves into thinking it's something other than what it is! Slaughter, hunting, execution, euthanasia, murder, abortion, manslaughter, war... all these words we invent to kid ourselves into believing we aren't really saying that the act of killing is right under some circumstances and wrong under others.
Let's suppose you're hiding fifty Jews in your barn when the Nazis come to you and ask if you know where they are. Do you lie to protect their lives?
Shame on you! Don't you know that lying is wrong?
On the other hand, if you go ahead and tell, let me congratulate you. You may not be much of a human being, but at least you're not guilty of moral relativism.
You know, I bet you could find a million people out there who are in favor of executing criminals because that's a sad necessity, while they are against abortion because it's morally wrong and because they want to protect the sanctity of human life. And you could find another million who see things in exactly the opposite direction.
Both millions are certain, to the point of smugness, that they own sole title to the moral high ground. Both sides, in spite of the paradox of their beliefs, believe they adhere to absolute moral standards.
Look at all the words we apply to the simple act of killing to try to kid ourselves into thinking it's something other than what it is! Slaughter, hunting, execution, euthanasia, murder, abortion, manslaughter, war... all these words we invent to kid ourselves into believing we aren't really saying that the act of killing is right under some circumstances and wrong under others.
Let's suppose you're hiding fifty Jews in your barn when the Nazis come to you and ask if you know where they are. Do you lie to protect their lives?
Shame on you! Don't you know that lying is wrong?
On the other hand, if you go ahead and tell, let me congratulate you. You may not be much of a human being, but at least you're not guilty of moral relativism.
