Brenton
Is it better for Jesus to heal lepers, or Hitler to say ‘thank you’?
January 24th 2007 23:53
I’ll always remember a particular Calvin and Hobbes strip, discussing conventional morality. Calvin is sitting down, pondering whether Santa rewards kids on how good they are as compared to their automatic disposition. I.e. if Calvin, an individual predisposed to naughtiness, is good five days a week, is that better than an individual predisposed to goodness being good four days a week?
This question could be asked just as easily in regards to religion. Does it mean the same for a man to give money to the poor, whether he’s predisposed to good, or to bad? Do our actions alone define us, or are they only relevant in comparison to our natural inclination?
Take it another step. Is this a concept that requires a place in the legal system? Should people be judged as to their relative inclination or circumstance, or is murder/theft/drug trafficking/rape as bad in any scenario?
Interesting questions. No straight answers. We don’t know how to find an empirical way to measure morality; however we do know, before the hammer hits the table, somebody has to make that judgement.
This question could be asked just as easily in regards to religion. Does it mean the same for a man to give money to the poor, whether he’s predisposed to good, or to bad? Do our actions alone define us, or are they only relevant in comparison to our natural inclination?
Interesting questions. No straight answers. We don’t know how to find an empirical way to measure morality; however we do know, before the hammer hits the table, somebody has to make that judgement.
Can an individual compelled towards evil be held to a lesser standard?
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Comment by Damo
Also what is the yard stick of morality tested.
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Comment by Damo
Taken to its logical conclusion it can be argued that some people are destined for hell and other for heaven even before they were born.
So logically a person could argue both yes or no.
From another viewpoint it is an entirely different thing than taking into account the defendants life when sentencing.
Comment by Brenton
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