What would it mean for there to be an absolute moral system? Sure, we have moral perception, but it’s primarily instinct that humans evolved to make cooperation easier. Your level 2 and level 3 intelligences are not different.
The absolute moral system I am talking about is as “absolute” as the physical world. Our perception of the reality (“the absolute physical world”) is also a primarily instinct that humans evolved to make life easier.
The difference between level 2 and level 3 intelligence is, using an analogy, like the difference between an intelligence that acts on postulated theories of the physical world and an intelligence that discovers new physical theories.
But there are many valid systems of normative rules. If there is an absolute morality, that means that one such system must be identified as special in some way. The thing that makes correct physics special over other possible descriptive theories is that, in this universe, it accurately predicts events. What about absolute morality makes it special as compared to other systems of normative rules?
As you know, there are different “valid” set of theories regarding the physical reality: the biblical view, the theories underlying TCM, the theories underlying homeopathy, the theories underlying chiropractise and the scientific view. The scientific view is well-established because there is an intersubjective consensus on the usefulness of the methodology.
The methods used in moral discussions are by far not so rigidly defined as in science, it’s called civil discourse. The arguments must be logical consistent and the outcomes and conclusions of the normative theory must face the empirical challenge, i.e. if you can derive from your moral system that it is permissible to kill innocent children without any benefits, then there is probably something wrong.
What is it about killing innocent children without any benefits that means that a correct moral system cannot permit it? If it is a matter of opinion, then the moral system is not absolute. If it is something other than opinion, you have not identified what that thing is.
I feel that killing innocent children without any benefit is wrong. I reason about it, and within my normative system, it makes sense to believe that is absolute moral, and not just mere opinion.
I see through a telescope a bright spot in the sky. I think it is the planet Saturn. I reason about it and within my system of physical theories, it makes sense to believe that is absolute real, and not just mere opinion.
What would it mean for there to be an absolute moral system? Sure, we have moral perception, but it’s primarily instinct that humans evolved to make cooperation easier. Your level 2 and level 3 intelligences are not different.
The absolute moral system I am talking about is as “absolute” as the physical world. Our perception of the reality (“the absolute physical world”) is also a primarily instinct that humans evolved to make life easier.
The difference between level 2 and level 3 intelligence is, using an analogy, like the difference between an intelligence that acts on postulated theories of the physical world and an intelligence that discovers new physical theories.
So are you defining morality as the behavior must conducive to cooperation?
If I understand correctly what you are saying, then the answer is no.
Morality is the system of normative rules in contrast to the system of descriptive theories that we use to understand our physical world..
But there are many valid systems of normative rules. If there is an absolute morality, that means that one such system must be identified as special in some way. The thing that makes correct physics special over other possible descriptive theories is that, in this universe, it accurately predicts events. What about absolute morality makes it special as compared to other systems of normative rules?
As you know, there are different “valid” set of theories regarding the physical reality: the biblical view, the theories underlying TCM, the theories underlying homeopathy, the theories underlying chiropractise and the scientific view. The scientific view is well-established because there is an intersubjective consensus on the usefulness of the methodology.
The methods used in moral discussions are by far not so rigidly defined as in science, it’s called civil discourse. The arguments must be logical consistent and the outcomes and conclusions of the normative theory must face the empirical challenge, i.e. if you can derive from your moral system that it is permissible to kill innocent children without any benefits, then there is probably something wrong.
What is it about killing innocent children without any benefits that means that a correct moral system cannot permit it? If it is a matter of opinion, then the moral system is not absolute. If it is something other than opinion, you have not identified what that thing is.
I feel that killing innocent children without any benefit is wrong. I reason about it, and within my normative system, it makes sense to believe that is absolute moral, and not just mere opinion.
I see through a telescope a bright spot in the sky. I think it is the planet Saturn. I reason about it and within my system of physical theories, it makes sense to believe that is absolute real, and not just mere opinion.