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.
Sorry if I was not clear. I was not quoting marvin Fox just pointing to his excellent book where he discusses the issues in my post.
Posted by: david g. at October 27, 2006 4:25 AMAnd, I would add, not because anyone will read this, but more for myself...that this doesn't make the morality objective. What it does do is transfer authority of the morality to an outside agent/power. The point is that we abrogate, not that we end up with anything more or less objective.
Posted by: Greg at October 30, 2006 12:27 AM
