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Same issue has always bugged me with ethics. Not that I lack ethics, but that all attempts to settle on a logical and meaningful set of ethics that apply to mor

by Rhapso 16y ago

Same issue has always bugged me with ethics. Not that I lack ethics, but that all attempts to settle on a logical and meaningful set of ethics that apply to more then 1 person has seemed futile. The engineer in me is unhappy with this lack of standardization, but understands why it is impossible short of brainwashing the population. (Wait! that is a grand idea! runs to dust off the mind control ray)

sudont 16y ago
The problem with logic in ethics is taking things to a logical end with the mental tool usually creates some sort of absolutism a la the unibomber. There was an article in the NYTimes op-ed section about how it was humanities duty to exterminate and genetically replace every predatorial animal to prevent suffering in prey animals. Kinda glad I found out about the Middle Way and Buddhism through studying meditation. Our world is constantly changing, and a precept is based on some given that may no longer exist. Hell, even the speed of light varies.
deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
joshuacc 16y ago
You might be interested in reading about the concept of Natural Law in the Thomist tradition, which attempts to clarify the principles of morality that can be discovered most intelligent people with sufficient reflection. Don't know if you'll find it persuasive, but it lends itself to analytical reasoning.
- Rhapso 16y ago
  my issue is more deeply rooted. Linear logic depends on a given true, this works fine in mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences, where assumptions are made, but resultant conclusions are void if assumptions are false, but when attempted to be wielded by philosophers said assumptions seem to be made desperately, and all attempts to challenge an assumption are met with desperate shouting and intentional deafness.
  - joshuacc 16y ago
    Well, Thomistic philosophy does try to start with the minimum possible set of assumptions as it works upwards toward a conclusion. As I said before, you may not find it convincing, but it is at least an interesting attempt. I'd suggest "Reality: A Thomistic Synthesis" for a general overview.
khafra 16y ago
http://singinst.org/upload/CEV.html http://singinst.org/upload/CEV.html holds some promise; unfortunately, no mere human intelligence or collection thereof can figure it out.

by Rhapso 16y ago

sudont 16y ago

The problem with logic in ethics is taking things to a logical end with the mental tool usually creates some sort of absolutism a la the unibomber. There was an article in the NYTimes op-ed section about how it was humanities duty to exterminate and genetically replace every predatorial animal to prevent suffering in prey animals. Kinda glad I found out about the Middle Way and Buddhism through studying meditation. Our world is constantly changing, and a precept is based on some given that may no longer exist. Hell, even the speed of light varies.

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

joshuacc 16y ago

You might be interested in reading about the concept of Natural Law in the Thomist tradition, which attempts to clarify the principles of morality that can be discovered most intelligent people with sufficient reflection. Don't know if you'll find it persuasive, but it lends itself to analytical reasoning.

Rhapso 16y ago
my issue is more deeply rooted. Linear logic depends on a given true, this works fine in mathematics, computer science, and physical sciences, where assumptions are made, but resultant conclusions are void if assumptions are false, but when attempted to be wielded by philosophers said assumptions seem to be made desperately, and all attempts to challenge an assumption are met with desperate shouting and intentional deafness.
- joshuacc 16y ago
  Well, Thomistic philosophy does try to start with the minimum possible set of assumptions as it works upwards toward a conclusion. As I said before, you may not find it convincing, but it is at least an interesting attempt. I'd suggest "Reality: A Thomistic Synthesis" for a general overview.

khafra 16y ago

http://singinst.org/upload/CEV.html http://singinst.org/upload/CEV.html holds some promise; unfortunately, no mere human intelligence or collection thereof can figure it out.