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View Full Version : Puritan morality without religion


jacobin1949
11th December 2007, 03:09
The majority of posters on this forum are dismissive of all "traditional" ethics, morality and puritanism. Dismissing them all as religious superstition. Thus many of you have a libertine stance.

But doesn't Kant's system of ethics show you can have vigorously moral and strict system of ethics without having to fall back on religion and faith? Kant makes a case for Puritianism as powerful as Calvin or Cromwell, without once mentioning God.
Great Helmsman
11th December 2007, 03:34
edit nm
synthesis
11th December 2007, 04:37
What is his case? I am ignorant; enlighten me.
BurnTheOliveTree
12th December 2007, 11:29
Jacobin:

Of course it's possible to have strict ethics without God. We don't need Kant to tell us that, it's intuitively true. For instance, I could decide on a whim that I will never again eat a ready-made meal because they lack nutritious value and I wish to respect my body. I could call my doctrine ethical whimsicalism, and BAM, you've got yourself a totally secular morality.

Tell us why the categorical imperative is better than my ethical whims, and you'll have made a point worth everyone's time! :)

-Alex
Lynx
13th December 2007, 05:21
Originally posted by BurnTheOliv[email protected] 12, 2007 07:28 am
Tell us why the categorical imperative is better than my ethical whims, and you'll have made a point worth everyone's time! :)
It may not be better, but I find it comforting when my ethical whims are backed by heavy artillery :blush:
pusher robot
13th December 2007, 15:20
Wrong on Metaphysics, wrong on ethics, wrong on aesthetics, wrong for America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M-cmNdiFuI
Os Cangaceiros
13th December 2007, 16:21
Originally posted by pusher [email protected] 13, 2007 03:19 pm
Wrong on Metaphysics, wrong on ethics, wrong on aesthetics, wrong for America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M-cmNdiFuI
If Nietzsche says it's true, it must be true.

Although I think he (and Kant, for that matter) are ineligible presidency due to the fact that they were born in foreign nations. To bad, I think; I'm sure the whole "God is Dead" proclamation would go over famously with the American people.