I really need to be doing things...

[avevale_intelligencer]

...but I can't let this go. Someone (whom I won't name because I don't know if they want their LJ and FB identities linked) just quoted on Facebook:

"Morality is doing what is right no matter what you are told. Religon is doing whatever you are told no matter what is right."

As an example of the statement that sounds good without at any point touching on truth, I don't think that can be bettered, and it shows up how insidiously persuasive a nice jingly Wildean paradox can be--I almost found myself nodding sagely at it for a second. But good grief, morality is *all about* what we're told--morality is tribal. And as for the stupid, facile old canard about religion being mindless obedience, I don't even need to bother refuting that, do I? I'm sure I've done it before, anyway, and I haven't got the spare computer time right now.

So, let's compose some nice jingly Wildean paradoxes.

"Bacon and eggs are tasty without being healthy. Muesli is healthy without being tasty."

See how it works? You have a try. See how convincing you can make any old rubbish just by balancing two phrases one against the other.

I'll check back tonight. I may award points.

Comments

[tig-b.livejournal.com]

Classical music is always excellent but hard to listen to, Filk music is fun but poor quality.



(I'm just making up an example here, honest.)

[the-changeling.livejournal.com]

Good taste is money with history. Bad taste is money with none.

[the-changeling.livejournal.com]

Also, as a word quibble. Morality is not ethics, and ethics is what is being bandied about in the quote.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

But good grief, morality is *all about* what we're told--morality is tribal.

Um. So you think that "grab all you can and devil take the hindmost" is moral if that's what you're told? Seriously?

If you do, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about morality being what you are told.

Morality V Religion

[lewis-p-bear.livejournal.com]

Not sure why you regard religion as anything but a sop for those afraid of the dark invented by bunnies who worked out a way of working indoors and avoiding heavy lifting.

It was fine for keeping the surfs in order but has long since outlived it's usefulness.

If we must have fantasy I go for the Easter Bunny.

[danamongden.livejournal.com]

Changing someone's mind through debate is a good way to share your wisdom.

But debating someone who will never change his mind is ignoring your own wisdom.