You're right about empathy being the root of morality, at least in modern times, but for the purposes of my thread with collie13, you need to go one step deeper to understand what I meant.
In order for empathy to provide a basis for moral action, one must hold certain values as - dare I say sacred? First, you must be of the belief that all human beings are in fact human, and that none is inherently more valuable than another. Second, you must believe that all humans have the right to have feelings and act on them, and that those feelings merit respect from other people including yourself. Third, you need a sense of responsibility for the impact that your actions can have on others. Fourth, you need a sense of fair play - that most people will reciprocate if you treat them well. Fifth, and last, you need a belief that even if they don't reciprocate, your actions are still an objective "right thing to do."
All of these beliefs constitute a philosophy of life that underpins empathic morality, and according to my earlier definition, they constitute a religious viewpoint whether or not there is a concept of God behind them.
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Date: 2005-12-11 02:07 pm (UTC)In order for empathy to provide a basis for moral action, one must hold certain values as - dare I say sacred? First, you must be of the belief that all human beings are in fact human, and that none is inherently more valuable than another. Second, you must believe that all humans have the right to have feelings and act on them, and that those feelings merit respect from other people including yourself. Third, you need a sense of responsibility for the impact that your actions can have on others. Fourth, you need a sense of fair play - that most people will reciprocate if you treat them well. Fifth, and last, you need a belief that even if they don't reciprocate, your actions are still an objective "right thing to do."
All of these beliefs constitute a philosophy of life that underpins empathic morality, and according to my earlier definition, they constitute a religious viewpoint whether or not there is a concept of God behind them.