Jack Bauer's Pick For Tuesday, June 12 ~

[Glenn P]

I would define the democratically elected progressive government as 'good' from my moral system (which places social health and personal rights high up there)... a christian reconstructionist or other conservative christians might not; this would be an example of such a conflict I spoke of earlier.

Thanks for your timely reply. I don't feel you've answered my question though. I was referring to the right-wing government and "generalissimo" that overthrew the progressive one in your thought experiment... would you say THAT system and usurpation was morally good? I get the impression that you would say that it was bad based on your comments (and, perhaps, the fact that you even started this thread at all). You also didn't answer the second half: if you do think it's morally wrong, and given your basis for morality (namely the greater society), would you then concede that before the Civil war slavery was morally good and before the civil rights movements racial discrimination was good?

I predict this will not get a very helpful answer. I'd like to be wrong. But actually, this kind of question, asked on a routine basis here at TWeb, is more fundamentally important than a lot of people to whom it is asked will admit.

[jellybene]

Wow, thanks Jack! Yeah, it's been long recognized that moral relativists don't have a leg to stand on. Of course, merely stating that their position is inconsistent/irrational isn't enough. They have to be SHOWN that their position is irrational, and the best way is by asking the right questions, a la the Socratic method.

[Faramir]

Good Pick Jack, good post Jill.

Jack and Jill...

[Glenn P]

Hey, jelly - just read your profile. Dang, you're nearly Theologically perfect! Just gotta work on that whole "Eternal Torment in Hell " thing. You'll get there.