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  Topic: Ethics verses Morality, Another Thought Provoking discussion< Next Oldest | Next Newest >  
Thought Provoker



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Joined: April 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Feb. 28 2010,14:49   

Since it looks like Joe G isn't providing entertaining BS, let me have a go at it.

Something I have discussed in the past on Telic Thoughts and a subject I feel is pertinent to understanding ID proponents and, lately, conservatives like Glenn Beck.  This is…

In my opinion many of these people engage in unethical activities via moral rationalization.

Combining morals and ethics allows for creating or bending facts if done for a good cause.

As always, definitions are important for meaningful discussions.  First, how many people see a distinction between the terms “ethics” and “morals”?  I see “ethics” as an internal code of conduct which focuses on honesty and keeping promises whereas “morals” is an externally imposed code of conduct.

To me, an ethical prostitutes and ethical thieves are not oxymorons.

Your thoughts?

  
Jim_Wynne



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(Permalink) Posted: Feb. 28 2010,19:27   

I think you misspelled "versus" in the thread title.  :D

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Evolution is not about laws but about randomness on happanchance.--Robert Byers, at PT

  
Thought Provoker



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Joined: April 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Feb. 28 2010,19:32   

curses

  
olegt



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(Permalink) Posted: Feb. 28 2010,20:03   

I object to the premise of this thread.  Joe never ceases to entertain.  Right now he is asserting that the formation of the solar system cannot be explained by natural causes.

Quote
Also you don't have any evidence that blind, undirected processes can account for this solar system.

You can't even form a testable hypothesis for your position.

Hell you can't even account for gravity besides saying it just is.


That last bit alone scores 10 points on the Crackpot Scale (#17).

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sledgehammer



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(Permalink) Posted: Feb. 28 2010,23:39   

Morals is how others tell you to behave.
Ethics is how you behave when nobody's watching?

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The majority of the stupid is invincible and guaranteed for all time. The terror of their tyranny is alleviated by their lack of consistency. -A. Einstein  (H/T, JAD)
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Thought Provoker



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(Permalink) Posted: Mar. 01 2010,09:10   

Quote (sledgehammer @ Feb. 28 2010,23:39)
Morals is how others tell you to behave.
Ethics is how you behave when nobody's watching?

Basically, that is how I look at it.

However, the details get mixed up when it comes to honesty and general veracity.

I come from the school of thought lying to others ends up causing you to lie to yourself.

When Dembski quotemines scientists, I offer he ends up fooling himself into thinking there really is a hidden broadbase scientific support for ID.

  
Occam's Aftershave



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(Permalink) Posted: Mar. 01 2010,09:44   

Quote (Thought Provoker @ Feb. 28 2010,14:49)
Since it looks like Joe G isn't providing entertaining BS, let me have a go at it.

Something I have discussed in the past on Telic Thoughts and a subject I feel is pertinent to understanding ID proponents and, lately, conservatives like Glenn Beck.  This is…

In my opinion many of these people engage in unethical activities via moral rationalization.

Combining morals and ethics allows for creating or bending facts if done for a good cause.

As always, definitions are important for meaningful discussions.  First, how many people see a distinction between the terms “ethics” and “morals”?  I see “ethics” as an internal code of conduct which focuses on honesty and keeping promises whereas “morals” is an externally imposed code of conduct.

To me, an ethical prostitutes and ethical thieves are not oxymorons.

Your thoughts?

The scientific term is "Lying for Jesus"

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Paul Flocken



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(Permalink) Posted: Mar. 09 2010,20:35   

Quote (sledgehammer @ Mar. 01 2010,00:39)
Morals is how others tell you to behave.
Ethics is how you behave when nobody's watching?

Not attempting to disagree with Sledge, simply chose his comment for the reply button.

I think ethics is an academic discipline that attempts to make a code of conduct that is internally consistent.  Morals are tools that one group of people try to use to justify the rules they wish to impose on a second group of people.

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"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.  Belief in myths allows the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."-John F. Kennedy

  
Thought Provoker



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Joined: April 2007

(Permalink) Posted: Mar. 09 2010,21:57   

Quote (Paul Flocken @ Mar. 09 2010,20:35)
I think ethics is an academic discipline that attempts to make a code of conduct that is internally consistent.  Morals are tools that one group of people try to use to justify the rules they wish to impose on a second group of people.

Hopefully I am not being too patronizing but I'm impressed.

Most people I talk to about this subject appear to be clueless as to even the possibility of a difference.

Is this an atheist thing?

Do we see the usefulness of ethics as being something different than the often arbitrary morals?

  
Kristine



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(Permalink) Posted: Mar. 09 2010,23:41   

Quote (Jim_Wynne @ Feb. 28 2010,19:27)
I think you misspelled "versus" in the thread title.  :D

I think it is somehow appropriate. ;)

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