Where Is Man's Inner Compass?

A moral compass is really a series of questions. You look down and ask, "Where does it point?"

Then when you turn the dial, you wonder "How are the other directions related?"

Morals are more than just something learned. They are something realized from exposure and experience. If your dog eats a bird he wont do it again if you train it not to, until you are away. If your dog eats a bird and gets sick, he won't do it again regardless of if you are there.

 

OK, I realize i have erred in my wording of this thread.........I should have titled the thread..."where is man's empathy?"......as I am talking about something that cannot be taught by any reward or punishment systems, or taught at all.

 

it's in between your eyes, right behind your nose.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/17/the_odd_body_nose_compass/

 

So, the Pineal gland, then...

 

Empathy, compassion. I think everyone is too busy dreaming about plans and goals for themselves. There are people though that make effort to give something. Most people have and myself included, an effort that says 'I will help you as long as it doesn't hurt me'.

 

Brother, can you spare a dime?
Not really what I meant.
And I always reject any statements from one person trying to speak for most or all people.
Why is it so hard for anyone to speak for themselves?
It would have more meaning.
The most people bit turns me deaf, as it feels like you are trying to win popularity points with most people.
Ever notice how most people will adopt a gang mentality if others are beating something up?
Others will go silent and disappear.
It is a rare person who will stick their neck out and try to end it because that is the right thing to do and there is no other choice for a truly empathetic person.
No other choice, and I am also speaking about how others treat the other life on this planet.
How many stick their necks out for them when it is a most unpopular thing to do?
Some people find there is no other choice.

 

Most people do suck. It's just the way people are brought up. Of course I didn't say all the people. I've met a lot of people so when I say most people I mean most of the people I've known. Sorry you feel included in 'most people'.

 

Each person's moral "compass" is different, however there are several factors that determine where one's compass points. The first, and quite possibly foremost, is familial upbringing. Each child is taught from a young age what is right and what is wrong by their established parental figure or figures. This category most often includes the seed of religion. The second is societal interaction. This category includes other people encountered throughout one's life. i.e. School, religious affiliations, neighbors, etc. The last is personal perception. How does the self perceive the moral constructs presented by their surroundings? Which if any of these constructs do they find acceptable? As such each person decides morality for him or herself. Often people just accept the first moral doctrine offered. This is not an absolute however.

 

nope, a small deposit of magnetite crystals in the bone.
same thing is found in lots of migratory critters

 

morality as we generally define it is an evolutionary development to help bring cohesiveness to the group dynamic.
It stems from our ability to feel empathy and recognize ourselves in the other which is the basis of our social groupings.
That all leads to greater survival of the species/group.
I'm pretty sure others have touched on it already here and the topic has been discussed a more than a few times in the past.

 

What do you think an alien species would report to their leader on the topic of human morals?

 

Have you ever thought it goes against our nature to act like this? I'm not saying I haven't helped people, but there is very few I would stick my neck out for. Then again my code is the code of the opportunist. I don't follow the normal morals. I think they are crap. Most morals stem from a book written by some man 2000+ years ago about a "God" that pretty much embodies everything he tells you not to do. So what kind of rules is that to go by? I make my own codes to go by. I personally like the law of equivalent exchange. Any thing you get you give back in equal. Makes sense to me. I steal = I sacrifice something later down the road of equal value.

 

I don't know what is against your nature to act like...I only know my nature.
Bull shit with the learned book talk already. I am tired of telling this story, but as a little girl of 3 I was on a fishing boat with my grandparents and parents in Miinesota. they caught a big northern pike for supper. i cried and screamed and made life living hell for them until they threw it back. That is me...in my DNA...not taught, preached at, or anything.

As far as people go, I do not trust most people, anyway...but I leave them alone and mind my own business mostly....and expect the same from them...i say live and let live to them......The few i do trust and let into my life really......would never steal from me, or hurt me in any way, and if they do, they do not get a second chance.....only superficially.

 

That would depend on what kind of aliens they are.

 

Yes ate we talking Romulan or Vulcan aliens here?

 

What is important is that the answer be compatible with the conscious life observing it (you and I).

Else there is no point in us discussing anything at all.

Unless you take typing text as a metaphor for leading a horse to water.

The point is I guess, that nothing will happen until you are inspired by what is in front of you.

 

consideration (for ALL people, places and things) be your guide, logic and accumulated data to figure out how to do so.
as long as you permit nothing to take a higher priority then universal consideration, pursue gratification to you hearts content,
(without of course, ignoring realities both manufactured and natural).