NewfieToker
04-12-2010, 01:25 AM
Recently I've been having a lot of thoughts about what is real and not real. Thus far I've come to the conclusion that I know nothing about the world I live in and that everything we think is all based on what society has sculpted our minds to believe.
Take for instance the morality of murder. Before I took my first philosophy class I used to think, like many, that murder was wrong; not only because it was against the law but because I, as a human, had a moral obligation to not accept it.
Clearly, since some people murder and others don't, we as humans are not obligated to morally believe it is wrong. This brought on the question: What makes murder wrong for some and not wrong for others?
Immediately I found myself asking another question: Why do animals, such as dogs, kill other dogs? and, do they feel morally unjust when they do?
To answer these questions I started looking for the differences between animals and humans. My first thought was how much more advanced our society is than any other animals.
Running on that thought, would it be fair to conclude that the only reason why I feel morally obligated not to murder whomever I see is because society has brainwashed me into thinking that is how I should behave? Do I not kill my neighbour because my parents, teachers, peers and the law has told me not to for 18 years?
Had I of grown up completely cut off from "civilization" would I kill whatever I want without any moral bounds? I think I would. Why not? No one ever told me it was wrong and thus, it isn't.
So if that is the reason I don't kill people then what else does society tell me not to do that otherwise I would do?
Keep in mind, all these thoughts just started pouring into my head one day and after 5 minutes I was so boggled down with thoughts I started going off on all sorts of tangents.
The main one I would like to discuss, with respect to the previous topic; Society's Impact On Personal Morals, is: Is true happiness only obtained when there is no society to impact your thoughts.
I figured that, the reason I am never satisfied with life or truly happy and care-free at any particular moment is because I, like everyone else, is under constant pressure of society. Pressure to work, go to school, be a "good" person, etc...
So if it is society's demands which produces this unhappiness, then if society did not exist and I never knew it existed wouldn't I be happy?
Some may argue that it would be lonely to be by yourself for your entire life, but if you never knew anyone else existed would you still feel lonely? Or would you feel more connected with yourself; you being the only person you know.
As you may have noticed I spend a lot of my time thinking by myself, but you know what? When I'm thinking by myself I am happier then I ever am with other people.
I'd love to hear EVERYONE else's thought's too. All input is equally appreciated cause hey, it can't sound any more insane then what I've just rambled about.
P.S.
Don't let any of my mindless thoughts represent how I actually feel on any given situation. I just feel the best way to come about a conclusion is to look at all possible aspects. Especially those I don't agree with. I find it will usually help me to come to a logical answer.
Take for instance the morality of murder. Before I took my first philosophy class I used to think, like many, that murder was wrong; not only because it was against the law but because I, as a human, had a moral obligation to not accept it.
Clearly, since some people murder and others don't, we as humans are not obligated to morally believe it is wrong. This brought on the question: What makes murder wrong for some and not wrong for others?
Immediately I found myself asking another question: Why do animals, such as dogs, kill other dogs? and, do they feel morally unjust when they do?
To answer these questions I started looking for the differences between animals and humans. My first thought was how much more advanced our society is than any other animals.
Running on that thought, would it be fair to conclude that the only reason why I feel morally obligated not to murder whomever I see is because society has brainwashed me into thinking that is how I should behave? Do I not kill my neighbour because my parents, teachers, peers and the law has told me not to for 18 years?
Had I of grown up completely cut off from "civilization" would I kill whatever I want without any moral bounds? I think I would. Why not? No one ever told me it was wrong and thus, it isn't.
So if that is the reason I don't kill people then what else does society tell me not to do that otherwise I would do?
Keep in mind, all these thoughts just started pouring into my head one day and after 5 minutes I was so boggled down with thoughts I started going off on all sorts of tangents.
The main one I would like to discuss, with respect to the previous topic; Society's Impact On Personal Morals, is: Is true happiness only obtained when there is no society to impact your thoughts.
I figured that, the reason I am never satisfied with life or truly happy and care-free at any particular moment is because I, like everyone else, is under constant pressure of society. Pressure to work, go to school, be a "good" person, etc...
So if it is society's demands which produces this unhappiness, then if society did not exist and I never knew it existed wouldn't I be happy?
Some may argue that it would be lonely to be by yourself for your entire life, but if you never knew anyone else existed would you still feel lonely? Or would you feel more connected with yourself; you being the only person you know.
As you may have noticed I spend a lot of my time thinking by myself, but you know what? When I'm thinking by myself I am happier then I ever am with other people.
I'd love to hear EVERYONE else's thought's too. All input is equally appreciated cause hey, it can't sound any more insane then what I've just rambled about.
P.S.
Don't let any of my mindless thoughts represent how I actually feel on any given situation. I just feel the best way to come about a conclusion is to look at all possible aspects. Especially those I don't agree with. I find it will usually help me to come to a logical answer.