tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202092988208583550.post7508622568003858076..comments2024-03-04T15:09:00.479-08:00Comments on The Scientific Worldview: Critique of TSW Part 24e The Mind-Brain Muddle: EthicsGlenn Borchardthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09394474754821945146noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202092988208583550.post-71128065375911420452014-12-10T14:06:40.032-08:002014-12-10T14:06:40.032-08:00Of course, racism was always barbaric, and so was ...Of course, racism was always barbaric, and so was slavery, although slave owners probably did not think so. Your strictly democratic rule (51% vote) seems simplistic, but it just might be of use in ethics. Some would call that a "tipping point" similar to what happened when indoor smokers became a minority. The majority then kicked them outside--so much for your idea that ethics will "reduce or eliminate coercion from society." The real world uses plenty of coercion. It just changes from one type to another. I now think I will coerce someone to not coerce me to do the dishes...Glenn Borchardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394474754821945146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202092988208583550.post-23719573228617129412014-12-10T13:49:05.519-08:002014-12-10T13:49:05.519-08:00GB: Huh? Where in 'The Scientific Worldview...GB: <i>Huh? Where in 'The Scientific Worldview' did I advocate a moral code?</i><br /><br />From your comments above: <i>"Our progress toward civility continues as we replace the ethics of barbarism with the ethics of modern society.", " (e.g., the elimination of racism, sexism, and homophobia)".</i><br /><br />I'm pleased that you consider racism barbaric, but your position seems to be that it was "ethical" until 51% of society said it was unethical.<br /><br />My position is that racism and racist laws were always barbaric and contrary to any civil principles of ethics long before they were repealed. Laws may be ethical or unethical, something we can determine by evidence and logic, even while the rest of society disagrees. Of course, we still bear the burden of persuading them that those laws are "bad" or "wrong" in order to achieve progress.<br /><br />A key word is "civility", which is an ethical position in itself. What we seek is to reduce or eliminate coercion from society, except in retaliation against one person's use of force or fraud against another. That is an ethical and moral code, which ought to apply as much to government acts (or laws) as to the acts of individuals.Westmillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02865166433794584552noreply@blogger.com