re: Do You Believe in Absolute Morality?

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I disagree with standards of morality being applied to war for obvious reasons. You can say that killing in war is not 'murder' but lots of people who are killed in war are non combatants so it's as bad as murder.

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I actually agree with most of this.

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I have never relied on the kindness of strangers for anything in my life. And my life is 90% over so I think I'll make it to the grave.
The reason is simple. I have made VERY good decisions about potential problems all my life. I've been through 5 hurricanes. My dad, my brother and I knew exactly what we were doing. Mom was told just to STFU and do what we said.

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I am glad you didnt have to experience that.

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Katrina could not have happened to me. Because when I was offered a job in N.O. long ago I turned it down specifically because I didn't want to live in that shithole town.

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If not Katrina then Harvey, or Michael, or Sandy, or 9/11, or a tsunami or earthquake or any random disaster...

Just because you havent experienced a disaster doesnt mean that others will have the same fortune.

Only a Sith deals in absolutes.

But on a serious note- No i do not believe in absolute morality. There is way too much gray area in life to try and confine morality to black and white / right and wrong.

I wouldn’t lie in a normal, everyday contextual situation, but I would lie if doing so meant preventing harm to my loved ones. Same with violence- “thall shalt not kill” is pretty universally understood, but I would kill without hesitation in defense of myself, family, friends, or country.

Most importantly, I am vehemently against people trying to impose some sort of absolute morality within the confines of running a nation. I think that the US should be a kind and compassionate nation (which in many ways we are), but I believe wholeheartedly that our government’s responsibility is to the safety and well-being of its citizens and legal residents above all-else. That being the case, there are times where the nation’s perceived morals have and will be compromised.

Little early to be bleeding so badly. Change your tampon

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It has nothing to do with 'fortune' or 'luck'. It has to do with thinking. I knew what threats existed in every environment I was ever in and had contingency plans or moved to another environment.

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I’ve never been in such a situation either, and hopefully never will. But I can still see how the person affected is completely justified in stealing food to survive.

Stumped? By you?

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Stumped? By you?

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If we're going by what usually happens, yes

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I’ve never been in such a situation either, and hopefully never will. But I can still see how the person affected is completely justified in stealing food to survive.

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Well, there is also the difference of what is 'nice' and what is 'moral obligation.'
If you were in desperate straights and found your way to my house in the woods and begged for food, I would give you some (unless I saw that you were obese).
But giving you food is an act of kindness. It is not a moral obligation.

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The knowledge of right and wrong is part of our being. How did it get there? What is its source?

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I know where this thread is going but, I'll answer anyway.

Honestly, bottom line is that it comes from the basic concept of do unto others which really isn't a religious concept.

With rare exception, if there is something that you wouldn't be OK with others doing to you, then it's wrong to do it to them. And, of course, if there are ways you believe you should be treated, then, it's likely correct to treat others in the same way.

How it "got" there is simple. It's completely logical.

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Fat shaming isn’t nice!!! but one could argue that you’re morally obligated to save someone’s life if possible.

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See my post.

Honestly, I Think people make this much more complicated than it has to be. I mean, I suppose the word "obligated" is kinda loaded.

But, bottom line, if I arrived at your house starving after being lost in the woods and you had food, I would want you to help me.

Hence, if you arrived at mine, I'd help you.

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No. And what I said needs no further explanation.

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He’s saying that a serial killer is only rearranging the atoms of its victims, nothing more. We only pass judgement on that action because of our silly old primate survivalist brains, right Rex?