Orion wrote:
Where do the ideals of beauty and morality come from? If we are just further evolved animals then aren't our lives just a quest for survival and the reproduction of our offspring? Clearly, from your statements above, you believe there is more to life then this.
Morality comes from US. It comes from INTELLIGENCE. What is moral is what is more reasonable. What is smarter, assuming the goal is for the good of all people, and not just oneself. But a smart person understands that if people work for all people and not just themselves, the world will be better. We’re not so weak that we can't stick to some principle without God.
Here's how I define morality.
For something to be morally right, it needs to be two things. 1. The smartest response (available*), and 2. Keeps everyone in mind (so that it is not the smartest for self gain)
*if #2 as explained below
That’s what right is, and wrong, of course, is the opposite, or anything but. Right can be put into two categories.
1. The absolute and unpredictable right; the truth that may or may not be revealed. Like I said, either God exists or he doesn’t. He does not need to exist to say that he does (or does not?) exist.
2. The achievable right. Based on our own reasoning, what we can best calculate is most likely to be right. Basing a solution on the best reasons available, rather than on an agenda, or something self-serving.
Basically, #1 is the ends, and #2 is the means. We only have control over #2 however, so it’s the only really relevant one.
Right and wrong is a measure of intelligence. Already explained. By doing things RIGHT, we can do better as civilization, and thus better as individuals. Sorry, doesn’t discredit evolution as you suggested.
Don't assume morality is separate from intelligence. It’s not. It’s part of it. IT IS IT. Right and wrong is smart and stupid. Doing things RIGHT benefits us. Many animals have an ability to reason, ours is just very complex, and that leads me to my next point...
Beauty, love, and all that good stuff. Even basic animals have basic attraction, and smarter ones begin to care and love. Our love, beauty, and romanticism are our elaborate human versions. Yes, it really is based off intelligence then.
But why does that make it so cold? The way I see it, that just makes it our own beauty, rather than God's. It means your mind is your own, you can be as great as you can be, and there is no God above you to be better. That you are not ignorant in the great light of God. That you are smart, and capable, and beautiful--it all comes from you.
If you see something, and you see it as beautiful, what does it really matter where that beauty comes from? It undeniably exists for you anyway.
.. I have a lot to say on objectivism as well, being a non-religious objectivist, but I'll post that later.
