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Objective morality

mycorrhiza

Well-Known Member
Even if objective morality did exist, it would not be proof of God.

The common argument is that either something is right because God says it's right or God says that it's right because it is objectively right. If the first case is true, then morality is subjective, as it is just the opinion of God. If the second case is true, then objective morality is beyond God and thus doesn't need God to exist.


I would say that objective morality does not exist, as proven by history.
 

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
how do use objective morality to show evidence of God:)

Objective morality doesn't really exist. We could set up objective morals using logic, but people aren't really into being intelligent these days. Either way, it would not / does not prove the existence of God.
 

vepurusg

Member
Objective morality doesn't really exist. We could set up objective morals using logic, but people aren't really into being intelligent these days.

When one sets up a coherent concept of objective morality using logic, then it does exist. Not as a substance, but as a concept.

It is as true as π, i, or e, or any other valid concept in logic or mathematics.

Objective morality exists, but that is not to say that violating it has personally negative consequences beyond the tautological, unless we put them into place ourselves.

Even if objective morality did exist, it would not be proof of God.

Yes, and in fact, as derived directly from logic and the necessary ontology of morality, it yields proof that the notion of such a god is morally false.


The common argument is that either something is right because God says it's right or God says that it's right because it is objectively right. If the first case is true, then morality is subjective, as it is just the opinion of God. If the second case is true, then objective morality is beyond God and thus doesn't need God to exist.

This is not strictly correct with regards to the infinite/transcendent concept of modern divinity (particularly due to the logical breakdown that must occur to even postulate such an entity).

It's true for any limited and naturalistic concept of deity, though.
 

1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
Logic can be used to decide what the best way of achieving what you want is, but it cannot tell you what goal to work towards. (Except in service of a bigger goal.) In that way, even formally derived morality is dependent on what is considered "good" to begin with.

"The Good" of ethics can be found logically.
 

InformedIgnorance

Do you 'know' or believe?
Let us suppose there WAS an objective morality, would it even be possible to determine? There are differences in our understandings of an objective morality, so at the absolute least our perception of objective morality is subjective, i.e. it is a subjective perception of morality.

However to formulate a (subjective perception of an) objective morality we must determine an objective standard defined and described by characteristic measurements and benchmarks by which to compare events and outcomes (being those things that can be determined 'moral' or 'immoral' through application of this standard) - I am ignoring the possibility of determining if PEOPLE are moral or immoral for now as this would be an even more complex field. Identifying which characteristics to measure and the specific benchmarks for those characteristics in determining morality as well as any system of combining characteristics (such as weighting and so forth) can deliver an 'objective' system but that objective system is founded on the subjective interpretations that went into determining the standard in the first place (for example justifying the selection of particular characteristics as opposed to others). The created standard may be 'objective' in a sense, but there is nothing to suggest that it is superior to other possible 'objective' standards...

Even those 'objective' standards of morality in the end are constructions based on subjectivity - with no credible basis by which to proclaim their universality.
 
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vepurusg

Member
In that way, even formally derived morality is dependent on what is considered "good" to begin with.

This can be non-arbitrarily derived by considering only non-innate goals, eliminating inconsistent/impossible goals, and excluding chaos in favor of coherence.

The first exclusion makes the concept relevant (instead of meaningless), the second makes it logical/real, and the third makes it consistent.


[...]but that objective system is founded on the subjective interpretations that went into determining the standard in the first place (for example justifying the selection of particular characteristics as opposed to others).

This is not true. See my brief explanation above.

In order for a concept to have meaning, e.g. "objective morality" it must distinguish between what it is, and what it is not. This negates fundamentally innate goals (like hedonism).

Most other "possible" goals are negated by the impossibility of coherently fulfilling them due to internal contradictions, and contradictions with the logic of moral utility.

The only ones that aren't are those of random/chaotic morality, which is inconsistent by nature, and one remaining coherent moral basis- that of consideration of interest.
 
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InformedIgnorance

Do you 'know' or believe?
I have read your explanation and subsequently, subjectively, I do not agree with it. :p

There is a way to establish a set of concepts in the way that you have discussed, however there is nothing to suggest that such a set describes some universal, objective ethical framework. Instead your reference to a concept rather than 'substance' is interesting (particularly to an ignostic such as myself) however as I mentioned in my post, even if one DID exist, we have no means by which to ascertain it without resorting to subjectivity.
 
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vepurusg

Member
however there is nothing to suggest that such a set describes some universal, objective ethical framework.

Ah, yes there is.

In the same way that:

π = 3.141592...etc.
And
π ≠ 2

Words have meanings; indeed, they are tied to concepts and they are the means by which we categorize and comprehend concepts.

A word only serves its purpose in so far as it defines something which is distinct from another thing, or anything else.

It's why "god" is incoherent; it's not properly defined. The lack of meaning is contageous, and logically demolishes the coherence of any sentence it is placed in.

In so far as we assume a concept of objective morality exists, we must assume it is coherent and consistent (otherwise it certainly does not exist).
In so far as it is consistent and coherent, we must acknowledge that it exists (as a concept- all things that are consistent and coherent do exist as concepts, even if they are not tangible/material things).

This, by the process of elimination, reduces the possibilities down to one.


even if one DID exist, we have no means by which to ascertain it without resorting to subjectivity.

Of course we do- process of elimination. Eliminate all that is impossible, incoherent, and inconsistent, and we are left with what is consistent, possible, coherent- a legitimate concept of objective morality.
 

InformedIgnorance

Do you 'know' or believe?
I am an Ignostic, I am completely aware of what you are saying given its similarity to theological noncognitivism and for the very same reasons I am forced to say this: there are potentially more than one consistent and coherent set of statements, which could be used to describe a concept of 'objective morality'... with no way to determine which of these potential concepts is 'correct'.
 
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vepurusg

Member
I am an Ignostic, I am completely aware of what you are saying given its similarity to theological noncognitivism

I know, which is why I mentioned it.

there are potentially more than one consistent and coherent set of statements, which could be used to describe a concept of 'objective morality'... with no way to determine which of these potential concepts is 'correct'.

If that were the case, so would it be. However, it turns out that it is not the case, once all of the eliminating is done. The possibilities are narrowed down to precisely one (unlike that of deity).
 

InformedIgnorance

Do you 'know' or believe?
Really now? I would love to see that process of eliminating of all possible attempts to describe an objective morality being reduced to a single one.
(No I am not being sarcastic - I would love to see it done - I just do not believe it can be)
 
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