Posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 21:50:17
In reply to Re: Another go..., posted by Impermanence on March 11, 2005, at 3:51:55
> > 1) The earth is not flat
> > 2) There is life on Mars
> > 3) Vanilla ice cream is nicer than chocolate ice cream
> > 4) Abortion is wrong
> > 5) Torturing babies for fun is wrong
>
> 1. Is fact if you choose to believe science as I do but I've never actually been in space or traveled all around the world in a strait line so I can't prove it myself lol.Ok. All you really need to agree with is that there is a fact of the matter. It is either true or it is false. Regardless of whether we have seen it ourself or can prove it ourself. Regardless of whether scientists change their mind - it is either true or false. (current best evidence suggests that it is true)
> 2. Is a theory, yet to be proven.Well... It is a statement. We don't know whether the statement is true or whether it is false. The idea is simply that there is a fact of the matter that we have yet to discover.
> 3. Is an opinion relative to the person making the claim.Yup. 'It is all a matter of taste' (pun intended).
> 4. Is an opinion relative to the person making the claim.
> 5. Is an opinion relative to the person making the claim.Ok. What about if someone tells you this and they are sincere:
'I think it is perfectly acceptable to torture children. Not for any reason other than that I find it enjoyable'.
Do you want to say
1) That is their opinion and they are entitled to it and I cannot say that they are wrong.
or do you want to say
2) torturing children for fun is morally reprehensible whether this person realises it or not that is a bad thing to do.If 1) you are a relativist
If 2) you are a realist (there are at least some universal moral truths).Relativism is typically believed to promote tolerance. But is there such a thing as being a little too tolerant?
poster:alexandra_k
thread:468601
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050305/msgs/469873.html