My thoughts:

There is the frustrating problem of subjectivity, of different people holding different values, etc. However, I think some value judgements can be deemed more correct than others, when held up to scrutiny. Frankly, many peoples' opinions do not mean shit, since they are merely the result of cultural indoctrination. I know, I know, to a degree everything everybody thinks (including myself) is a result of the same, but there are definite levels of it, and the fact that we are here discussing this shows that we have the ability to think in abstract terms, to transcend tradition, and to develop our own thoughts, a rare gift.

I think it is clear that the infliction of suffering is amoral--suffering is unpleasant to everybody, and only harm comes from it, the only positive result being that the inflictor's goals are achieved, the pleasure of which cannot possibly justify the extreme distress necessary for it. Extended thought reveals kindness, altruism, etc. to be commendable virtues, causing pleasure instead of pain. Most people have a basic concept of this ideal (however often they may break it), and in that they have it right.

Where I believe most people have it wrong is in asceticism, in restraint. Modesty, chastity and sobriety remain prevalent ideals to this day. Even most people who fuck left and right seem to hold the ideal of chastity, the false sense that their behaviour is somehow amoral or destructive. Sustained thinking reveals that there is nothing amoral about promiscuity or drug use, and that modesty is a social fabrication designed to keep people in line.

Loyalty is another bullshit value, probably invented by some emperor so they'd keep kissing his worthless ass. The value of loyalty usually leads to harm--few evils have caused greater suffering than patriotism, and yet nearly every citizen of every country continue to hold their own country or people above all others, never pausing to reflect on what exactly makes them so great. Interpersonally, it is nonsensical to take a friend's side when they are wrong, and in condoning a wrongness, you are doing harm.

I think the highest ideal is Truth, that which satisfies the noble/poetic soul and is unmitigated by deception.
overgrowthegovt Reviewed by overgrowthegovt on . The Standard of Morality This is a topic I hope everyone can relate. If you are reading this message then you are a conscious human being with the ability to make value judgments. I was hoping to just get into the minds of all you thinkers out there and how you have come to determine what is good or bad. Basically, everyone has a philosophy - If you decide to rape women and rob banks you still have a philosophy. Obviously this code of ethics is irrational and ultimately leads to some form of suicide; mentally or Rating: 5