What Is Morality?

[ihaveanappforthat]

Morality. Must the ends of something justify the means? Is it morally acceptable to kill one to save many? Is killing wrong regardless of the outcome?

The line between right and wrong can be muddied rather easily.

All this talk about book privileges is boring, let's talk about something interesting.

Comments

[ihaveanappforthat]

They are philosophical views.

In laymen terms:

Deontology is the view that if you break a certain rule to cause something to benefit you or the general population, it is still incorrect. You are bound by your rules and duties.

In example: Killing one to save many others. In the end you still killed someone. Killing is wrong, therefore you are wrong. The means do not justify the end.

Utilitarianism is the view that you should do what benefits the most people, even if you have to resort to doing bad things, in the end it justifies the means.

Example of the theory in effect: If you killed one to save many, you did the morally correct thing because many other people could have died.

[doctorkishitani]

Forgive me. I'm not very familiar with most philosophical concepts.

However, now that I have a better understanding of these terms, I'd say that utilitarianism is closer to a correct approach than deontology. Deontology doesn't seem to allow one's rules and moral codes to evolve alongside one's society.

What do you think?

[ihaveanappforthat]

Killing is wrong though. You'd kill an innocent to save other innocents?

I believe in the Harm Principle; if you're not hurting someone else it is morally acceptable.

[doctorkishitani]

[Inkblot]

But wouldn't refusing to kill one hypothetical person be wrong if it resulted in the deaths of many more? I think it would depend on the circumstances. And who the person in question happened to be.

The harm principle sounds like a good rule to live by. I'll look into it when I have a chance.

[ihaveanappforthat]

Morality is a very muddied subject, everyone's opinions are different, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what it right and what is wrong.

I have some books you may borrow if you wish.

[doctorkishitani]

That is an understandable dilemma, isn't it? Do you think it is possible to pinpoint what's right and what's wrong? I'm not sure it is. There's so much that depends on circumstances.

And I would be thrilled if you would allow me to borrow anything on morality! Thank-you very much for your consideration, Moriarty!