1) To what extent do we learn these ideas of right & wrong from our environment? To what extent is this morality intrinsic, i.e., present in us from birth? I believe that we learn the rights and wrongs from our parents. By spending so much time with them, we develop our sense of right and wrong from them by adopting their mannerisms, their skills and what they think is right and wrong. I believe morality is something that is present from us in birth and we develop it over time. I also think events and people that we encounter along the way to help develop our sense of morality. Additionally, tragic events and positive events help realize what we think is right and wrong through our daily life. I believe that would be applicable.
2) Are there actions you believe are always morally wrong? Which actions? Why or why not? I think that purposefully taking advantage of others and being dishonest to others is always morally wrong. An example of taking advantage of others would be an example of the IRS scam to older people to take their money. I also think being dishonest (lying to others, cheating in relationships, withholding pertinent information from a significant others). I believe they are both immoral, because I think those are the actions of people who are extremely selfish and only looking out for themselves. People who are being purposefully deceptive for personal gain are morally wrong because they are looking to take down others for their own personal gain.
3) Can one live morally without the guidance of religion? Why or why not? Yes, because I think that even though religion helps guide someone’s morality, it isn’t everything. I know people who don’t have strong religious ties and can develop a strong sense of morals through their friends, family and life events that they have experienced. I think someone who is religious is a little stronger morally, because I think that people who have religious beliefs have preset guidance on what morals they need to accomplish in certain amounts of time. However, everyone has different morality standards based on their religious beliefs and ways to accomplish it. I believe that people don’t have religious standards can still develop a strong sense of morals.
4) Is empathy the proper basis for morality? Why or why not? I think having empathy is a necessary quality for morality. By being compassionate and realizing that your actions make people feel, then empathy is a necessary quality for morality. I also think communication, innate goodness and being able to decipher whether or not this scenario is good or bad is an important quality for morality. However, I believe that you don’t have to be extremely empathetic to have a strong sense of morals. I am playing Devil’s Advocate here, but I think there are people who lack empathy who have morals (i.e. some famous celebrities and people who lack the ability to care)
Hi Charlie,
ReplyDeleteGood job. I want you to be more careful about consistency of singular/plural form. Read your answers again to understand what I'm referring to. Also, spend some time editing your pieces in order to make it more professional.
And don't be hesitant to give longer explanations. I didn't really get your celebrity example.
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