But it seems like morality is just a word people use to describe how they think they should act!
It often is. My point is that morality is just a word, and that it unfortunately doesn’t have a well agreed upon meaning. And so someone could always just say “but I define it this way”.
And so to ask what morality is is really just asking how you define it. On the other hand, asking what someone’s altruism or preference ratios are is a concrete question.
You seem to be making the point that in practice, peoples definitions of morality usually can be traced back to happiness or goodness, even if they don’t know or admit it. I sense that you’re right.
Do you?
I doubt that there are many people who think that God has an evil will. But I could imagine that there are people who think that “even if I knew that God’s will was evil, following it would still be the right thing to do.”
I doubt that there are many people who think that God has an evil will. But I could imagine that there are people who think that “even if I knew that God’s will was evil, following it would still be the right thing to do.”
Sure. But any definition of “right” that gives that result is more or less baked into in the definition of “God’s will” (e.g. “God’s will is, by definition, right!”), and it’s not the sort of “right” I care about.
And so to ask what morality is is really just asking how you define it.
Yay, I got your point. Morality is definitely a more ambiguous term. You’ve helped me realize I shouldn’t use it synonymously with goodness.
You seem to be making the point that in practice, peoples definitions of morality usually can be traced back to happiness or goodness, even if they don’t know or admit it.
Yes, my point exactly.
But I could imagine that there are people who think that “even if I knew that God’s will was evil, following it would still be the right thing to do.”
I am trying really hard to imagine these people, and I can’t do it. Even if God’s will includes “justice” and killing anyone who doesn’t believe, even if it’s a baby whose only defect is “original sin,” people will still say that this “just” will of God’s is moral and right.
It often is. My point is that morality is just a word, and that it unfortunately doesn’t have a well agreed upon meaning. And so someone could always just say “but I define it this way”.
And so to ask what morality is is really just asking how you define it. On the other hand, asking what someone’s altruism or preference ratios are is a concrete question.
You seem to be making the point that in practice, peoples definitions of morality usually can be traced back to happiness or goodness, even if they don’t know or admit it. I sense that you’re right.
I doubt that there are many people who think that God has an evil will. But I could imagine that there are people who think that “even if I knew that God’s will was evil, following it would still be the right thing to do.”
Sure. But any definition of “right” that gives that result is more or less baked into in the definition of “God’s will” (e.g. “God’s will is, by definition, right!”), and it’s not the sort of “right” I care about.
I think that’s what it often comes down to.
Yay, I got your point. Morality is definitely a more ambiguous term. You’ve helped me realize I shouldn’t use it synonymously with goodness.
Yes, my point exactly.
I am trying really hard to imagine these people, and I can’t do it. Even if God’s will includes “justice” and killing anyone who doesn’t believe, even if it’s a baby whose only defect is “original sin,” people will still say that this “just” will of God’s is moral and right.
Hmm. Well you know a ton more about this than me so I believe you.