[ExI] to install

[samantha]

spike wrote:
>  
>
>   
>> ...On Behalf Of BillK
>> Subject: Re: [ExI] to install
>>
>> On 6/3/10, spike wrote:
>>     
>>>  Ja Emlyn but you may be crediting the memeset for their good 
>>> character and  wellbeing, when the credit should go to the genes.
>>>       
>> Oh,ohh.  I think you're making that up Spike.   ;)
>>
>> Physical characteristics are inherited, not acquired traits...
>>     
>
> Ja.  What my notion does is to attribute to some degree one's moral
> intuition as a physical characteristic as opposed to an entirely acquired
> trait.
>
>   
>> If you claim that good morals are inherited, then logically 
>> you also have to claim that bad morals are inherited, and 
>> that leads on to eugenics and attempts to clean the bad genes 
>> out of the gene pool, mass sterilisations, abortions, etc... BillK
>>     
>
> I see the concern, however we as a species do not entirely agree on what are
> good morals and bad morals.  Our notions are usually similar but in a few
> stark cases, are exactly opposite.
>
> As an example, there are those who believe in a strong version of
> individuality.  The sturdy individual packs up a few rudamentary tools,
> strikes out alone for the Alaskan back country, carves out a niche with
> muscle, courage and determination, lives out her life as a wilderness
> pioneer.  That appeals to me.  Then there is one who might argue this is
> sinful selfishness, that one with this kinds of talent and energy should go
> live in the big city, use it to the betterment of all humanity.  Then there
> are those who think that on the contrary, humanity already has all the
> breaks, and that all our energy should be devoted to helping beasts rather
> than helping humanity.  
>   

Both of those have no relationship as stated with any sort of rational 
ethics.  It is implying that all ethics are arbitrary choices of self or 
society and there is no such thing as an ethics grounded in reality.  
That is a very dangerous notion.
> My notion is that this predisposition to one or more of these three moral
> positions (individuality, humanity, beastiality) is at least partially a
> function of the brain's hard wiring, not strictly to influences.
>
>   
What about what you THINK!  Are you just a machine governed by your 
genetics and whatever culture you landed in or can you think and choose 
rationally your ethics?  If you cannot then the only way to change the 
general ethical behavior of human societies is by eugenics and mass 
re-education (programming through new influences).  Both have been tried 
with bloody and appalling results.

- s
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