Wisdom and Cheese- Deadly Thigamajiggers (General)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Monday, December 05, 2011, 23:46 (4737 days ago) @ dhw

I’m struggling to understand the purpose of replacing the traditional biblical concepts of good/evil with functional/dysfunctional.... We need to agree on what we mean by morality.

Hell, I struggle to understand morality. What I am trying to do here is move beyond morality, beyond the subjective interpretations.

“Relating to human behaviour, esp. the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behaviour.” (Collins)

For morality as it stands today, this is a perfect definition and a perfect example of WHY I think the distinction needs to be made. Good/Bad, Right/Wrong, what are these things? Show me a good thing. Prove to me that it is good. Show me a bad thing and prove to me that it is bad.

What, then, is the difference between our definitions?

The difference between the definitions is that the one that I am using is mechanical. It is definitive and it is unambiguous. It is not subject to interpretation by an individual. It can be subjected to rigorous empirical testing. Functional means something works as it is supposed to work without causing dysfunction in another, unless that is it's intended purpose. That is something that can be tested. It can be proven. It can be stated unequivocally. Eating pork-rinds every day will kill you, therefore it is dysfunctional. Smoking cigarettes leads to emphysema and will most likely kill you, therefore it is dysfunctional.

My definition also allows for flexibility that moral imperatives do not. You can not say homosexuality is both bad and good, and your definition offers no middle ground for explanation. I can say that homosexuality is dysfunctional in that using the reproductive organs in that manner will never produce the outcome of reproduction. There is no judgement there, only truth. You want to eat pork-rinds every day(Gluttony), go right ahead. You'll die from it. No judgement, only truth. You won't to base your self image on your favorite Hollywood movie star(idolatry), go right ahead, you will be miserable and suffer from low self esteem. No judgement, only truth.

That is why it is so important for me. Your version of morality, subjective good and bad that can be flipped and changed and twisted by the whim of the mob we call society is valueless. It holds no meaning at all beyond that which a given person assigns it. Functional and dysfunctional are not only universal in application, but they are also suitable for all situations at all times and all states, because they are specific criteria that only take into account the intended function. Something either works, or it does not.

Now, we can argue about how something is 'supposed to work', if you like, but I think I have been sufficiently clear on this now. Let me know if it still doesn't make sense. LOL Lord knows I confuse myself sometime.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.