Self Development

The word “morality” comes from the Latin word moralitas meaning "manner, character, and proper behavior". Morality generally refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society hold as authoritative, in distinguishing right from wrong. Such an ideal code of conduct is often espoused in preference to other alternatives.

The argument over whether religion is the only basis for morality is not new.

Socrates asked if something was good or right because the gods said it was, or did the gods say a given behavior was good because it was innately good.

Would the good thing be good, outside of the gods pronouncing it was good? Plato's answer was yes. Dostoyevsky's was no.

"Socrates would probably answer that religion is not the only ground for ethics can be grounded in a rational philosophy".

Jean Paul Sartre, an avowed atheist, would agree with Dostoyevsky. He would say that without God everything is permissible; but since Sartre does not believe that there is a God...

Sartre thinks that morality needs an anchor, a set of rules, even a rule giver, but there is not one! so for all human beings, discussion of right and wrong is meaningless...

Hummm...is this what you meant sartre?...

Albert Camus believes in morality but, like Socrates it does not require a god. But Camus insist that each person needs to be moral.

Well,well let us summarize all these thoughts...

Sartre would say that Dostoyevsky is right, however, there is no God. Therefore, sadly, everything is permissible.

Judaism, Chrisitianity, and Islam would assert that Dostoyevsky is right and there is a God; following God's divine commands is the whole duty of his creation.

Kant, Socrates, and Camus would say that Dostoyevsky is wrong. There may or may not be a God, however, morality is possible anyway.

The principle, like the Golden Rule, said that each human being had an absolute obligation to judge him or herself as though their action would become the universal law for all. Individuals should do only those things they would sincerely desire for everyone else to do.