October 26, 2006

On Objective Morality (and other Figments of the Imagination)

David Guttman posts about Maimonides on Objective Morality. He paraphrases from Marvin Fox:

The Sechel, rational part deals with true and false. It analyzes data and extrapolates from it in a methodical rational way arriving at conclusions that are either true or false. It is a purely scientific method for which man utilizes his Tzelem Elohim. Another part of a human being is his ability to discern right from wrong. That is a subjective method where cultural and personal preferences are the arbiters.

I suppose I hadn't considered this ramification of Maimonides understanding of Genesis, but I think it's correct; according to Maimonides, the nature of morality is subjective.

Whereas Maimonides (as R. Guttman explains) concludes that Man should therefore focus on the rational (true or false) rather than the good and bad, I would argue that it is precisely because of its subjective nature that we abrogate authority to the Divine in the area of morality.

Posted by Greg at October 26, 2006 10:56 PM