Morality is all in your mind.

[Hume]

To the degree that I acknowledge that I don't know what I don't know, yes.

But isn't that a pretty hollow claim?

 

[ZenMode]

Please explain what morality is with no humans in the universe.

Morality has to do with the experiences and well-being of creatures who have consciousness, are able to experience joy, pain, suffering, etc.

 

[Hume]

Morality has to do with the experiences and well-being of creatures who have consciousness, are able to experience joy, pain, suffering, etc.

So, morality applies to animals, if there are no humans?

 

[ZenMode]

But isn't that a pretty hollow claim?

Not really. Acknowledging that I and my miniscule life on this floating rock, am basically nothing, in the grand scheme of things, seems pretty deep.

 

[Hume]

Not really. Acknowledging that I and my miniscule life on this floating rock, am basically nothing, in the grand scheme of things, seems pretty deep.

Seems Christian

 

[ZenMode]

So, morality applies to animals, if there are no humans?

Good or bad experiences of conscious creatures would still be a thing if humans didn't exist, yes.

 

[Hume]

Good or bad experiences of conscious creatures would still be a thing if humans didn't exist, yes.

Never heard of that outside of Christian theology.

 

[ZenMode]

Seems Christian

Seems like a pretty solid scientific observation based on what we know.

 

[ZenMode]

Never heard of that outside of Christian theology.

Christians don't get EVERYTHING wrong. They just generally get the reasons for things wrong or are right by accident.

 

[Hume]

Seems like a pretty solid scientific observation based on what we know.

Science has nothing to say about morality.

 

[Hume]

Christians don't get EVERYTHING wrong. They just generally get the reasons for things wrong or are right by accident.

So, you are a Christian.

 

[ZenMode]

Science has nothing to say about morality.

Sure it does, though people often don't think so. Think of anything you consider to be immoral and you'll find, as I mentioned, that it's all based on the experience of a conscious creature. We know that certain actions, like sexual abuse of children, has a lasting, negative impact on them. If we had a good enough understanding of the human brain, we would be able to scientifically explain things like the effects of abuse, neglect, etc. I'm not saying science has anything close to all the answers, and likely never will, but there is surely a scientific side to morality.

 

[ZenMode]

So, you are a Christian.

Nope. That would be irrational.

 

[Hume]

Sure it does, though people often don't think so. Think of anything you consider to be immoral and you'll find, as I mentioned, that it's all based on the experience of a conscious creature. We know that certain actions, like sexual abuse of children, has a lasting, negative impact on them. If we had a good enough understanding of the human brain, we would be able to scientifically explain things like the effects of abuse, neglect, etc. I'm not saying science has anything close to all the answers, and likely never will, but there is surely a scientific side to morality.

Science has nothing to do with morality.

 

[Hume]

Nope. That would be irrational.

I see. You have same beliefs as Christians but are not Christian.

 

[ZenMode]

Science has nothing to do with morality.

Well, you can keep saying it, but you didn’t actually refute anything is said, so….

 

[Hume]

Well, you can keep saying it, but you didn’t actually refute anything is said, so….

You confuse physical conditions for causes of behavior.

 

[ZenMode]

I see. You have same beliefs as Christians but are not Christian.

My beliefs are based in science. Humans are nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Hume]

My beliefs are based in science. Humans are nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Never heard a scientist say that.

 

[ZenMode]

You confuse physical conditions for causes of behavior.

What physical conditions are you referring to.