Peter Slattery

This is what Jonathan Haidt has to say about morality.

To live virtuously as individuals and as societies, we must understand how our minds are built (see ch. 1 of The Happiness Hypothesis). We must find ways to overcome our natural self-righteousness (see ch. 4). We must respect and even learn from those whose morality differs from our own (see this talk or this essay on politics, or this essay on religion.).’

It doesn’t really matter if you think Jonathan is wonderful or not so… the morality thing is pretty big one these days…always has been really. So if Jonathan adds something to the discussion then good on ya Jonathan.

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I was discussing the middle east nightmare with a friend the other day and subsequently she sent me this email.

‘Wherever I Go, I Hear The Same Tired Middle East Comparisons

by Robert Fisk

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/10-10

Robert Fisk is pretty reputable I thought, and yet the argument here simply seems to lack logic, any real depth of substance when presenting an argument, and contains also just a little arrogance. Irrespective of my views on the middle east, the argument here seems to be that something must be in some way wrong or inaccurate if:
1. I have heard it before
2. I am tired of it.

Imagine saying this:

‘Wherever I go I hear the same tired commandment:THOU SHALT NOT KILL’

Now clearly this must be somehow a really bad idea because:
1. I have heard this not only before…but a lot!
2. And if something tires me, bores me, …ME!…then clearly it must be wrong.

But maybe I am missing something here?

Then of course there is what Robert Fisk writes. And you can read this for yourself if you would like to.

Jonathan Haidt suggests that humans have a Moral Foundation…set within us from birth, and that there are five areas of this foundation:

1. Harm/Care
2. Fairness/Reciprocity
3. Ingroup/Loyalty
4. Authority/Respect
5. Purity/Sanctity
Interesting stuff!

The video below gives you more info.