A sense of morality is an innate trait (THE LIBRARY message #1366)

A sense of morality is an innate trait

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Posted by Erin on September 25, 1997 at 00:46:23:

In response to Re: Hate vs Love, written by Cassia on September 24, 1997 at 16:48:42

I think this is way all human societies have had to develope moral/ethical codes. It seems most natural to hate both the person and their actions. But until the world grew so large a population doing this could endanger your very life, so we have used, morality, ethics, manners and ettiquette to allow us to maintain contact with those we don't necessarily approve of or like.

Sorry to butt in, but I generally agree with your assertions on the utility of morality. However, I think that morality, or more specifically the moral sense, is an inherent not a forced practice. Kantian morality posits that to be rational (i.e., to be human) on could not but be moral --moral in the sense of what one ought to do, treat others, etc. To be moral was to be rational, and hence to be human.

You seem to be erroneously grouping together this more primordial, innate moral sense with formal establishment of moral codes of conduct and concepts of justice and punishment, such as laws, which are based on this certain view of man and his innate ethical impulses; but which can be (and are) manifested and interpreted in various ways by particular cultures and historical eras.

Good insight Cassia

Erin

REPLIES:

Love Rita 22:17:44 9/27/97 (2)
- Instinctive love Cassia 20:09:07 9/30/97 (1)
  - Purity in love Rita 12:17:17 10/01/97 (0)
Kant rears his ugly head again... ;-) Helen 09:27:42 9/25/97 (2)
- "For most of us..." Erin 13:54:46 9/25/97 (1)
  - Speaking rationally... Helen 06:14:12 9/26/97 (0)

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