Title: Origins of Morality
Post by: joeactor on May 21, 2007, 04:40:25 PM
Post by: joeactor on May 21, 2007, 04:40:25 PM
I wasn't quite sure if I should post this here, or in Science...
Here's an interesting article:
Morality: where it came from, where it gets us (http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070517_morality.htm)
I found this quote to be most fascinating (esp. point 2):
Discuss?
JoeActor
Here's an interesting article:
Morality: where it came from, where it gets us (http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070517_morality.htm)
I found this quote to be most fascinating (esp. point 2):
QuoteEvÂoÂluÂtionÂary, neuÂroÂloÂgÂiÂcal and social-psyÂchoÂlogÂiÂcal inÂsights are conÂvergÂing on an acÂcount of morÂal reaÂsonÂing based on three prinÂciÂples, Haidt claimed:
* EmoÂtions and gut feelÂings genÂerÂalÂly drive our morÂal judgÂments.
* We enÂgage in morÂal reaÂsonÂing not to learn the truth, but to win othÂers over to our viewÂpoint.
* MoÂralÂiÂty was cruÂcial for the evÂoÂluÂtion of huÂman ultra-sociality, which lets us live in large, highÂly coÂopÂerÂaÂtive groups. GosÂsip was alÂso cruÂcial; it’s the veÂhiÂcle through which we seek to win over othÂers, again usÂing morÂal reaÂsonÂing.
Discuss?
JoeActor
Title: Re: Origins of Morality
Post by: McQ on May 21, 2007, 10:12:22 PM
Post by: McQ on May 21, 2007, 10:12:22 PM
Quote from: "joeactor"I wasn't quite sure if I should post this here, or in Science...
Here's an interesting article:
Morality: where it came from, where it gets us (http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070517_morality.htm)
I found this quote to be most fascinating (esp. point 2):QuoteEvÂoÂluÂtionÂary, neuÂroÂloÂgÂiÂcal and social-psyÂchoÂlogÂiÂcal inÂsights are conÂvergÂing on an acÂcount of morÂal reaÂsonÂing based on three prinÂciÂples, Haidt claimed:
* EmoÂtions and gut feelÂings genÂerÂalÂly drive our morÂal judgÂments.
* We enÂgage in morÂal reaÂsonÂing not to learn the truth, but to win othÂers over to our viewÂpoint.
* MoÂralÂiÂty was cruÂcial for the evÂoÂluÂtion of huÂman ultra-sociality, which lets us live in large, highÂly coÂopÂerÂaÂtive groups. GosÂsip was alÂso cruÂcial; it's the veÂhiÂcle through which we seek to win over othÂers, again usÂing morÂal reaÂsonÂing.
Discuss?
JoeActor
I'd like to see the original paper. That would be interesting to read. This is a fascinating subject as a whole. A book I finished recently (Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea) touches on this subject.
Thanks for putting this in here, Joe.
Title:
Post by: joeactor on May 21, 2007, 11:59:09 PM
Post by: joeactor on May 21, 2007, 11:59:09 PM
My pleasure McQ...
Have you ever read the Hybrids/Humans/Hominids series of Sci-Fi?
There are some very interesting societal ideas in that one...
JoeActor
Have you ever read the Hybrids/Humans/Hominids series of Sci-Fi?
There are some very interesting societal ideas in that one...
JoeActor
Title:
Post by: SteveS on May 22, 2007, 03:31:51 AM
Post by: SteveS on May 22, 2007, 03:31:51 AM
Heh, this last one:
....especially if the individual in question is female
!
(only joking, of course :wink: )
QuoteGosÂsip was alÂso cruÂcial; it’s the veÂhiÂcle through which we seek to win over othÂers, again usÂing morÂal reaÂsonÂing.seems particularly true....
....especially if the individual in question is female
!(only joking, of course :wink: )
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Post by: McQ on May 22, 2007, 03:41:28 AM
Post by: McQ on May 22, 2007, 03:41:28 AM
Quote from: "joeactor"My pleasure McQ...
Have you ever read the Hybrids/Humans/Hominids series of Sci-Fi?
There are some very interesting societal ideas in that one...
JoeActor
No, I haven't read the series. But now I'm curious. I guess this means a stop at Barnes and Noble tomorrow! Thanks!
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Post by: joeactor on May 22, 2007, 05:24:46 AM
Post by: joeactor on May 22, 2007, 05:24:46 AM
Quote from: "McQ"The author is Robert J. Sawyer.Quote from: "joeactor"Have you ever read the Hybrids/Humans/Hominids series of Sci-Fi?No, I haven't read the series. But now I'm curious. I guess this means a stop at Barnes and Noble tomorrow! Thanks!
There are some very interesting societal ideas in that one...
JoeActor
There's a Neanderthal culture in the books with an amazing social structure...
Title:
Post by: Zatarra on August 02, 2007, 01:24:10 PM
Post by: Zatarra on August 02, 2007, 01:24:10 PM
Has anyone read 'Emotinal Intelligence" by Goleman or something like that? As I interpreted it, doing something you feel is 'right' when it's not in your interest is no more than 'emotional weakness' if you will. That is, an inability to control your emotions, and no more noble or admirable than not being able to step into a dark room for fear of what could be in there or yelling when you lose your temper.
So yeah, after reading that book I've believed almost exactly what's contained in your first post. Without a conscience/emotions, we would never perform 'altruistic' acts, never put someone elses interests before our own, which would lead to a breakdown of society. I've come across a quote by Nietsche: "morality is man's herd instinct". Maybe he was talking about something completely different, but I think he was talking about what I'm talking about. Morality is 'social glue' I suppose.
So yeah, after reading that book I've believed almost exactly what's contained in your first post. Without a conscience/emotions, we would never perform 'altruistic' acts, never put someone elses interests before our own, which would lead to a breakdown of society. I've come across a quote by Nietsche: "morality is man's herd instinct". Maybe he was talking about something completely different, but I think he was talking about what I'm talking about. Morality is 'social glue' I suppose.