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320. The Evolution of Morality through History

Dora Dell

Exploring the Theory of Morality and Existence


As humans, we are always questioning our existence and our purpose in the world. The question of why we exist has puzzled humanity for centuries. Many philosophers and theologians have offered their thoughts and ideas on this topic. However, one theory that stands out is William Search's Theory of Morality and Existence. In his books, "Why" and "Conversations with chatGPT: Exploring the Theory of Morality and Existence," Search suggests that the reason humans exist is morality. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into this theory and explore its implications.


The Fall and Human Agency


In monotheistic religions, the concept of the Fall plays a significant role in the way human agency is viewed. According to this concept, humans can't do good on their own because the Fall has degraded both their moral capacity and their willpower. While the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Chinese, Confucians, and Buddhists viewed humans as carving out a space for dignity and honor within an unpredictable universe, monotheistic religions insisted that humans could only be good through God.


In these religions, God created humans in His image. However, humans were seen as weak, corrupt, flawed, and broken. The significance of monotheistic religions lies in their contribution to the development of morality. While other ancient faiths and philosophies were constrained by the notion of fate, monotheism jettisoned the idea of fate and opened up new ways of thinking about agency and humans as moral agents.


Monotheistic religions established a new reason for abiding by the moral code: God tells you to. Why should one do as God demands? Not simply because God was all-powerful and all-knowing, but also because only through Him could humans, who are fundamentally morally frail, be rescued from their own wickedness and weakness.


The Emergence of Modernity and Changes in Morality


With the emergence of modernity, major changes took place that transformed the language of morality. In Europe, these changes took place from about the sixteenth century onwards. For the peoples of Africa and Asia, modernity could come only through challenging colonialism. One of the most significant changes brought about by modernity was the idea that morality should be invested in God, becoming less plausible over time. Even devout thinkers like Immanuel Kant were less likely to look to God to set moral boundaries.


The Importance of Moral Codes


All moral codes possess two elements: a set of values to pursue and a reason for pursuing those values. In other words, they both elucidate the means of being good and demonstrate the end to which the means take us. The importance of monotheistic faiths is that they developed a novel way of thinking about the relationship between means and ends. The end was God, and God was also the means to that end. As a consequence, morality became far more rulebound. Morality emerged less out of wisdom and reason than out of faith, submission, and law.


Conclusion


In conclusion, William Search's Theory of Morality and Existence offers a unique perspective on the question of why humans exist. According to this theory, the reason humans exist is morality. Monotheistic religions played a significant role in the development of morality, and modernity brought about changes that transformed the language of morality. While the concept of the Fall may have degraded human agency, it also opened up new ways of thinking about agency and humans as moral agents. The importance of moral codes lies in their ability to elucidate the means of being good and demonstrate the end to which the means take us. The ideas presented in this blog post are from William Search's books, "Why" and "Conversations with chatGPT: Exploring the Theory of Morality and Existence Existence." This theory offers a thought-provoking perspective on the topic of human existence and morality, and it is worth considering further.

As we continue to explore the theory of morality and existence, we should also reflect on its implications for our lives. If the reason humans exist is morality, then we must take our moral obligations seriously. We must consider how we can contribute to the betterment of society, how we can promote justice and fairness, and how we can uphold the dignity and worth of all individuals. Moreover, we must also acknowledge that our moral capacity is not fixed or predetermined. We have the ability to grow and develop morally, to become better human beings.

In the end, the theory of morality and existence offers a new way of thinking about the purpose of human existence. It challenges us to consider the importance of morality in our lives and to reflect on our moral obligations. As we continue to explore this theory and its implications, we may find that it provides us with a framework for understanding our place in the world and our role in society.





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