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I think your ethical principles have merit as well. But I think they're probably like most modern ethical principles, derived from a morality which is founded (uncritically) on several thousands of years of religious development.

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My version: I think your ethical principles have merit as well. But I think they're probably like most modern ethical principles, derived from a morality which is founded (uncritically) on several thousands of years of HUMAN development.

Again, just because religion has predominated does not mean it is the only way ethics would have evolved...it is just the method that our simpler ancestors understood best. We really have no way of testing this though do we? All that means is that religion wins by default.

I WILL address the rest and other topics later (I promise). I have just been so busy and my mind is swirling lately...too much 'real life' getting in the way. I hate when that happens.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Julian:

Just wanted to whole-heartedly concur with your thoughts!

Right on.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

misterpessimistic: Again, just because religion has predominated does not mean it is the only way ethics would have evolved...it is just the method that our simpler ancestors understood best.

I address this in the longer post. I think there's a categorical reason that ethics arose from religion rather than from another method.

I WILL address the rest and other topics later (I promise). I have just been so busy and my mind is swirling lately...too much 'real life' getting in the way.

No problem. I understand that time is limited. I do hope that you'll get around to the longer explanation, though. In the meantime, I'm patient.

Yeah, well...as usual your posts are ultra LOOONG so I hate starting them unless I can finish. Maybe I will try something new...print it out and make notes.

But my daughter has a BDAY party tonight and play practice this w/e and my wife will be going nuts...so I cannot sit on a computer posting to a message board without getting kinfe blades in the back of my neck!

In other words...my weekend is shot.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

misterpessimistic: Maybe I will try something new...print it out and make notes.

I was actually going to suggest that, just because it should be more convenient than trying to read the whole thing in front of your computer. It only comes out to about four or five pages if you print it in 12pt. Times New Roman.

In other words...my weekend is shot.

Ah, have fun with the birthday party. It'll probably be a good memory some day. It won't be too long before they want you to stay home while they spend their birthday with friends.

Mad, I agree that philosophy has merit, and my interest seems to be slowly increasing, though I'm not nearly as into it as you are. When I wander around a bookstore, other books tend to grab me more than philosophy books do.

That's just my personal subjective response; it's not meant to be an argument.