[extropy-chat] Axiomatic Morality

[Dirk Bruere]

Mike Lorrey wrote:

>--- Dirk Bruere <dirk at neopax.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>Dirk Bruere wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Three axiom possible bases:
>>>(a) Propagation of self into the future
>>>(b) Propagation of genes
>>>(c) Propagation of memes
>>>
>>>Depending upon how cynical one is perhaps (a) can be derived from 
>>>either of the other two
>>>Transhumanists clearly favour (a)
>>>Religious people (c)
>>>Most everyone else is primarily (b) and its consequences
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>Sorry it seems like I'm replying to my own post but my new spamkiller
>>
>>killed Mikes post as I was reading it on the server.
>>He raises the possibility of a fourth axiom, that of the propagation
>>of Nature. IMO that is actually (c)
>>    
>>
>
>Sorry to be pedantic, but actually, no. Memes require meaning making
>machines to exist, yet natures existence is a tautology independent of
>the existence of any meaning making machines, ergo natures continued
>existence is (d) because it does not require man or other sentient life
>to make it so. Relgious people can also buy into (d) as well as (c),
>but the fact that tree huggers are religious nuts is idependent of the
>fact that what they believe in exists independently of their beliefs.
>
>  
>
Such people carry that meme.
And we are talking about foundations for morality, which requires (at 
present) people.
No people, no morality.

>For this reason, (d) natures existence, being true independent of the
>solipsistic axiom bases posited by Dirk, is an objectively true axiom
>base. Sorry, Dirk, but the rest of us will go on after you are gone.
>
>  
>
Not a true axiom for morality because it requires a memetic belief 
system (aren't all belief systems memetic?)
In fact, I could simply deny Nature (and everyone else) exists at all - 
solipsism.
Pure (a).

-- 
Dirk

The Consensus:-
The political party for the new millenium
http://www.theconsensus.org



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