1. What is Morality? Feraco Search for Human Potential 7 December 2010

2. Some Starting Points While the terms “ethics” and “morals” are related, they aren’t interchangeableWhile the terms “ethics” and “morals” are related, they aren’t interchangeable When I speak of “morals,” I’m talking about codes that govern your personal/private behavior – whether you choose to help someone, wear something, relate to someone, abandon something, etc.When I speak of “morals,” I’m talking about codes that govern your personal/private behavior – whether you choose to help someone, wear something, relate to someone, abandon something, etc. When I speak of “ethics,” I’m talking about codes that govern your professional conduct – the beliefs that determine my teaching style, for exampleWhen I speak of “ethics,” I’m talking about codes that govern your professional conduct – the beliefs that determine my teaching style, for example For the sake of our lecture today, we’re going to assume that you have free willFor the sake of our lecture today, we’re going to assume that you have free will I know your first question asks you to suspend that assumption, but we’re aiming for simplicity today (believe it or not)I know your first question asks you to suspend that assumption, but we’re aiming for simplicity today (believe it or not)

3. Slamming the Brakes Morality itself is an interesting conceptMorality itself is an interesting concept In What is Choice?, we established that choices mattered to us because they allowed us to deviate from an automatic course – manual override, so to speakIn What is Choice?, we established that choices mattered to us because they allowed us to deviate from an automatic course – manual override, so to speak Morals function in much the same wayMorals function in much the same way Assuming we adhere to the values we say we hold, we use morality to arrest our worst impulses – to resist temptation and corruption, or to avoid harming others or ourselves unnecessarilyAssuming we adhere to the values we say we hold, we use morality to arrest our worst impulses – to resist temptation and corruption, or to avoid harming others or ourselves unnecessarily In other words, morals slam the brakes on the parts of human nature we don’t likeIn other words, morals slam the brakes on the parts of human nature we don’t like One wonders, then, whether we aim to be something other than humanOne wonders, then, whether we aim to be something other than human

4. Restriction and Direction However, morality really doesn’t have to be restrictiveHowever, morality really doesn’t have to be restrictive Nor do ethics, for that matterNor do ethics, for that matter Rather, it’s about trying to study the “best” way to live lifeRather, it’s about trying to study the “best” way to live life Without those twin senses of “goodness,” we simply survive without growth; as I mentioned earlier, our frameworks give us directionWithout those twin senses of “goodness,” we simply survive without growth; as I mentioned earlier, our frameworks give us direction That direction shapes more than your career goals; how many friendships, for example, would you lose if you only made relationships based on who could help you survive?That direction shapes more than your career goals; how many friendships, for example, would you lose if you only made relationships based on who could help you survive?

5. Shifting the Framework More importantly, that combination – choice and morality – profoundly impacts individual senses of identityMore importantly, that combination – choice and morality – profoundly impacts individual senses of identity You should consistently check your own sense of morality; does it limit or free you?You should consistently check your own sense of morality; does it limit or free you? In what ways does it affect you – and are you comfortable with those effects?In what ways does it affect you – and are you comfortable with those effects? If you’re not, you’re allowed to shift your frameworkIf you’re not, you’re allowed to shift your framework I imagine none of you have the same values you held as a five-year-old; your needs have changed a great deal since thenI imagine none of you have the same values you held as a five-year-old; your needs have changed a great deal since then

6. Civil Disobedience If you have free will, you have the ability to choose your actions based on your individual needs – which, in turn, means you’re responsible for their consequences, and thus get to choose whether you’ll lead a “moral” lifeIf you have free will, you have the ability to choose your actions based on your individual needs – which, in turn, means you’re responsible for their consequences, and thus get to choose whether you’ll lead a “moral” life But what is a “moral” life?But what is a “moral” life? It’s not simply a matter of following accepted rules, although that’s usually a good place to startIt’s not simply a matter of following accepted rules, although that’s usually a good place to start After all, historians have documented numerous acts of civil disobedience – immorality in the legislative sense – that contributed to human progressAfter all, historians have documented numerous acts of civil disobedience – immorality in the legislative sense – that contributed to human progress Was Gandhi’s resistance of British rule immoral? Was King’s resistance of racial bigotry?Was Gandhi’s resistance of British rule immoral? Was King’s resistance of racial bigotry? For that matter, would it have been immoral for those men, both of whom were capable of so much, to stand by and do nothing in the name of following society’s established laws?For that matter, would it have been immoral for those men, both of whom were capable of so much, to stand by and do nothing in the name of following society’s established laws?

7. Instincts for Good or Ill In the example above, “legal” and “moral” existed at odds with one anotherIn the example above, “legal” and “moral” existed at odds with one another –Should one follow the rules or follow one’s instincts when they’re mutually exclusive? –What if your instincts are wrong? We form moral/ethical frameworks in order to make sense of such situations – to take the things we comes across and contextualize them in a way that allows us to act on our interpretationsWe form moral/ethical frameworks in order to make sense of such situations – to take the things we comes across and contextualize them in a way that allows us to act on our interpretations In short, that framework allows you to make the choices you’d want to makeIn short, that framework allows you to make the choices you’d want to make Therefore, those codes eventually – inevitably – shape your hopes and dreams…which is why you have to construct your framework carefully, lest you accidentally build a prison for yourselfTherefore, those codes eventually – inevitably – shape your hopes and dreams…which is why you have to construct your framework carefully, lest you accidentally build a prison for yourself –Remember the box from the Revenge Therapy thread?

8. Insight Over Ignorance The ability to choose to live well is essentially the ability to choose insight over ignorance, to elevate the rich, varied lifestyle above the thoughtless and blandThe ability to choose to live well is essentially the ability to choose insight over ignorance, to elevate the rich, varied lifestyle above the thoughtless and bland You can choose either one, of courseYou can choose either one, of course –We’ve decided you have free will for today Now, what if I want to live well, to live a “good” life? How do I decide to do so?Now, what if I want to live well, to live a “good” life? How do I decide to do so? It seems like an awful lot of people have a lot of ideas about how to do things...how do I choose?It seems like an awful lot of people have a lot of ideas about how to do things...how do I choose?

9. What Does It Mean??? Let’s start with that word: “good”Let’s start with that word: “good” –What does it mean? We defined ethics and morality before we did anything else because goodness could be relative, and my impression of living well could be entirely off-baseWe defined ethics and morality before we did anything else because goodness could be relative, and my impression of living well could be entirely off-base One thought-school holds that true good and evil exists in the universe, completely independent of any perspective-related bias or moral relativismOne thought-school holds that true good and evil exists in the universe, completely independent of any perspective-related bias or moral relativism Another holds that good and evil are human constructions in a universe that’s much larger than them, and thus too shallow to accurately describe the things they doAnother holds that good and evil are human constructions in a universe that’s much larger than them, and thus too shallow to accurately describe the things they do Still another holds that all morals are relative, subject to dozens of factors per individual, and that no one can point to something absolute and say, “This, here, is unambiguously, incontrovertibly good” without facing opposition – that, indeed, every individual is responsible for defining “goodness” for himself or herselfStill another holds that all morals are relative, subject to dozens of factors per individual, and that no one can point to something absolute and say, “This, here, is unambiguously, incontrovertibly good” without facing opposition – that, indeed, every individual is responsible for defining “goodness” for himself or herself

10. Death Cab for Cutie But if you are able to shape the concept of whatever qualifies as “good” yourself, does “goodness” lose all real value?But if you are able to shape the concept of whatever qualifies as “good” yourself, does “goodness” lose all real value? You, for example, may believe Death Cab for Cutie is awful; I may believe they’re excellentYou, for example, may believe Death Cab for Cutie is awful; I may believe they’re excellent If we’re listening to the same music at the same time, doesn’t that just invalidate the value of both our reactions?If we’re listening to the same music at the same time, doesn’t that just invalidate the value of both our reactions? –Think of the darker version of the P/Not P dilemma from What is Choice? The worries here aren’t minor; we’re talking about the words we use to make sense of the world and those around us, words whose definitions are assumed to be static during most human interactionsThe worries here aren’t minor; we’re talking about the words we use to make sense of the world and those around us, words whose definitions are assumed to be static during most human interactions

11. This is What We Mean When we say something is “good,” what do we really mean?When we say something is “good,” what do we really mean? Does the use of “good” in “One Tree Hill is SO GOOD!” match the use of “good” in “Kindness is good for the soul”?Does the use of “good” in “One Tree Hill is SO GOOD!” match the use of “good” in “Kindness is good for the soul”? In some cases, we seem to be stating a fact about our opinions – when we say One Tree Hill is good, we’re expressing a favorable opinion toward the show with the expectation that others will agree (or be interested)In some cases, we seem to be stating a fact about our opinions – when we say One Tree Hill is good, we’re expressing a favorable opinion toward the show with the expectation that others will agree (or be interested) In other cases, we seem to be stating a fact or truth about something – “kindness is good,” for exampleIn other cases, we seem to be stating a fact or truth about something – “kindness is good,” for example We call this evaluative objectivismWe call this evaluative objectivism

12. Evaluative Language Evaluative language assigns a “quality label” to something – this is good, that’s bad, this is right, that’s wrong – and there are different schools of thought relating to our uses of such languageEvaluative language assigns a “quality label” to something – this is good, that’s bad, this is right, that’s wrong – and there are different schools of thought relating to our uses of such language Is there a “universal bad” or “universal good”?Is there a “universal bad” or “universal good”? An evaluative objectivist would answer in the affirmative, while an evaluative skeptic would disagreeAn evaluative objectivist would answer in the affirmative, while an evaluative skeptic would disagree

13. Four-Letter Word If you’re an evaluative skeptic, you tend to think that there are shades of grey in everything – that is, that good and evil are relative concepts rather than moral absolutesIf you’re an evaluative skeptic, you tend to think that there are shades of grey in everything – that is, that good and evil are relative concepts rather than moral absolutes There are ways to deal with the skeptical thinker, just as there are ways to deal with the objectivist thinkerThere are ways to deal with the skeptical thinker, just as there are ways to deal with the objectivist thinker The point, however, is that our personal understanding of that single four-letter word – “good” – has a tremendous impact on how we see the world – and, therefore, on how we make moral and ethical decisionsThe point, however, is that our personal understanding of that single four-letter word – “good” – has a tremendous impact on how we see the world – and, therefore, on how we make moral and ethical decisions

14. The Good Life Let’s test this hypothesis with a simple question: are you living a good life?Let’s test this hypothesis with a simple question: are you living a good life? Obvious follow-up question: “Well, what defines ‘the’ good life? What defines ‘a’ good life?”Obvious follow-up question: “Well, what defines ‘the’ good life? What defines ‘a’ good life?” I know that a bunch of different responses will pop up around the classroomI know that a bunch of different responses will pop up around the classroom This is because you each have your own interpretation of goodness, and you assign your own value/weight to goodness as wellThis is because you each have your own interpretation of goodness, and you assign your own value/weight to goodness as well

15. Can You? Should You? Can you set up my own ethical/moral codes?Can you set up my own ethical/moral codes? Well, sure – morals aren’t (usually) carved in stone, and the construction of those codes plays a huge role in determining any person’s sense of identityWell, sure – morals aren’t (usually) carved in stone, and the construction of those codes plays a huge role in determining any person’s sense of identity It’s hard, however, to separate what one is taught from what one teaches oneself; I’m not sure morality can develop in a social vacuumIt’s hard, however, to separate what one is taught from what one teaches oneself; I’m not sure morality can develop in a social vacuum The bigger question: should you do so?The bigger question: should you do so? Well, it’s hard to subscribe exclusively to someone else’s ethical beliefsWell, it’s hard to subscribe exclusively to someone else’s ethical beliefs

16. Social Exile But what about society? The whole concept of society as a body rests on the assumption that the people who live together in a certain region did so because they believe similar thingsBut what about society? The whole concept of society as a body rests on the assumption that the people who live together in a certain region did so because they believe similar things Although politics are a factor in the equation, we’re not talking specifically about political beliefs; this is more about socially- accepted criteria (don’t throw things while teaching, etc.)Although politics are a factor in the equation, we’re not talking specifically about political beliefs; this is more about socially- accepted criteria (don’t throw things while teaching, etc.) As long as my codes meet the criteria my society uses to define “good,” I’ll probably be fine in its eyesAs long as my codes meet the criteria my society uses to define “good,” I’ll probably be fine in its eyes This is why many peoples’ ethical/moral frameworks are deeply influenced by religious or social precedents; few among us want to be exiledThis is why many peoples’ ethical/moral frameworks are deeply influenced by religious or social precedents; few among us want to be exiled

17. The Final Balancing Act The problem, of course, occurs when it’s not possible to align your beliefs with societal normsThe problem, of course, occurs when it’s not possible to align your beliefs with societal norms –The King/Gandhi example from above A society full of people with wildly divergent ideas of ethics/morals cannot standA society full of people with wildly divergent ideas of ethics/morals cannot stand We use “consensus morality” to define criminality, and a total lack of agreement on basic standards simply leads to the collapse of lawWe use “consensus morality” to define criminality, and a total lack of agreement on basic standards simply leads to the collapse of law Yet there’s an equal danger in “groupthink,” where progressive ideas are instantly feared, dismissed, or ridiculed simply because they don’t match pre-existing standardsYet there’s an equal danger in “groupthink,” where progressive ideas are instantly feared, dismissed, or ridiculed simply because they don’t match pre-existing standards That’s the balancing act, then, that falls to every individual: how much do I dare to rock the boat while I’m alive…and can I live with my choices along the way?That’s the balancing act, then, that falls to every individual: how much do I dare to rock the boat while I’m alive…and can I live with my choices along the way?