A Basis For A Global Morality? (morals, beliefs, homosexuality, America)

[Sunstone]

Whether we like it or not, the world is coming together. Perhaps it is time then, to take a look at whether humans everywhere have a basic moral code they share in common. And, perhaps more importantly, whether such a basic moral code can form the basis for a global morality?

According to some anthropologists, the answer to the first question is "yes, there is a basic universal morality." These anthropologists believe they have identified six things found in all cultures everywhere. Four of the six are prohibitions against certain kinds of behavior. The remaining two are behaviors that are often crucial to moral codes. Let's begin with the prohibitions:

1) The prohibition against killing people. This is almost always a prohibition against unprovoked murder of a member of one's own group. But there is at least one culture that has no prohibition against murdering someone from one's own group, yet prohibits murdering strangers. So, while every known culture has some prohibition against murder, and nearly all of them prohibit the murder of a member of one's own group, there is a culture that varies that prohibition somewhat more than the others.

2) The prohibition against stealing from members of one's own group. Some cultures extend this prohibition to stealing from anyone.

3) The prohibition against lying with intent to harm a member of ones' own group except in self defense. Some cultures prohibit lying to anyone.

4) The prohibition against incest. It should be noted that incest is defined differently by various cultures, yet every culture has some notion of incest and prohibits it.

Those are the four universal prohibitions that anthropologists have identified. The two positive behaviors are closely related and are:

5) Gift giving. Every culture practices gift giving.

6) Reciprocity. Every culture expects some form of reciprocity not merely for most gifts, but also for such things as work performed on behalf of another.

Those, then, are the six universal moral rules that have so far been identified. My questions are:

Can a global morality be based on these six rules? Are these six rules enough for a foundation?

If so, what would that morality look like?

If not, why not?

Are there other rules besides these six, and not derived from these six, that would be needed for a global morality?

Comments?

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't understand how gift giving functions in morality.

I suppose that is giving to the poor?

[Seyorni]

Symbolizes and strengthens interpersonal relationships and obligations.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

I suppose that is giving to the poor?

That would certainly be one example of it. I think another would be the redistributive function of gifting. Many cultures practice gifting as a way of equalizing wealth. Others practice it as a way of community bonding.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

That would certainly be one example of it. I think another would be the redistributive function of gifting. Many cultures practice gifting as a way of equalizing wealth. Others practice it as a way of community bonding.

I can't conceptualize how gift giving relates to global morality outside of foreign aid/welfare.

As long as humans are dependent on regional resources we will have different cultures/countries/regional laws and morality. Perhaps someday we'll rise above it.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Whether we like it or not, the world is coming together. Perhaps it is time then, to take a look at whether humans everywhere have a basic moral code they share in common. And, perhaps more importantly, whether such a basic moral code can form the basis for a global morality?

According to some anthropologists, the answer to the first question is "yes, there is a basic universal morality." These anthropologists believe they have identified six things found in all cultures everywhere. Four of the six are prohibitions against certain kinds of behavior. The remaining two are behaviors that are often crucial to moral codes. Let's begin with the prohibitions:

1) The prohibition against killing people. This is almost always a prohibition against unprovoked murder of a member of one's own group. But there is at least one culture that has no prohibition against murdering someone from one's own group, yet prohibits murdering strangers. So, while every known culture has some prohibition against murder, and nearly all of them prohibit the murder of a member of one's own group, there is a culture that varies that prohibition somewhat more than the others.

2) The prohibition against stealing from members of one's own group. Some cultures extend this prohibition to stealing from anyone.

3) The prohibition against lying with intent to harm a member of ones' own group except in self defense. Some cultures prohibit lying to anyone.

4) The prohibition against incest. It should be noted that incest is defined differently by various cultures, yet every culture has some notion of incest and prohibits it.

Those are the four universal prohibitions that anthropologists have identified. The two positive behaviors are closely related and are:

5) Gift giving. Every culture practices gift giving.

6) Reciprocity. Every culture expects some form of reciprocity not merely for most gifts, but also for such things as work performed on behalf of another.

Those, then, are the six universal moral rules that have so far been identified. My questions are:

Can a global morality be based on these six rules? Are these six rules enough for a foundation?

I think the rules are fine, but they are a bit 'muddied' as you yourself have said; the crux being 'within certain groups', on nearly all the points.

Take this forum, and our divergent spread of beliefs; can you see a commonality of morals within the American members of the forum itself ? (on the major issues, obviously), but think of the topics such as homosexuality, sex before marriage, marriage itself, religious beliefs................

Those alone would all be integral parts of a 'universal morality' as far as I see.

The other 'block' as far as I can see, would be the 'cultural divide'; different groups of society cannot effectively become one cohesive entity as I see it.

A mix of Muslims, Christians, atheists.........just for a start; when you think about it, much of culture is dependent on the religion of the individuals.

I'm not saying it's impossible; in theory it ought to be, but in practice ? Can you yourself see it working? I think it would need a common acceptance of a common 'goverment', and I can't see people changing without at least two generations going through the process.
If so, what would that morality look like?

If not, why not?

-I guess I have answered that; I feel like a 'grumpy old man' - but I think my points are valid.

Are there other rules besides these six, and not derived from these six, that would be needed for a global morality?

I think there would be quite a few; the first would have to be the acceptance of the proposal itself.................

I honestly can't see it, and I hate saying so, but that's just the way I see it.

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Michel

I'm not saying it's impossible; in theory it ought to be, but in practice ? Can you yourself see it working?

Not at present. But who knows what might happen? I don't think history, as it was known at the time, could have ever predicted the establishment of a liberal representative democracy on the North American continent 200 odd years ago, but it happened. Maybe in a few generations there will be something of a world consensus on at least the general principles of morality.

Yet, I must agree with you that the chances look slight. Also, I must agree with Angellous that there is likely to be regional or cultural variations for quite some time to come. I guess the real question boils down to how much of a common morality does the world need to get along?

[michel]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Not at present. But who knows what might happen? I don't think history, as it was known at the time, could have ever predicted the establishment of a liberal representative democracy on the North American continent 200 odd years ago, but it happened. Maybe in a few generations there will be something of a world consensus on at least the general principles of morality.

Yet, I must agree with you that the chances look slight. Also, I must agree with Angellous that there is likely to be regional or cultural variations for quite some time to come. I guess the real question boils down to how much of a common morality does the world need to get along?

Certainly a lot more than we have now.