this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2024
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[–] dohpaz42@lemmy.world 12 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Unfortunately for me, I feel like if I thought I could get away with something consequences free, I’d probably do it. I’m not proud of that aspect of my morality, but I’d be lying if I denied it.

That said, I remind myself that if I’m too ashamed to do it under the scrutiny of people, then it is 100% not something I’m doing. That goes for simulations as well. Because there is always a chance someone will find out… and frankly, I don’t think I could live with myself.

Right or wrong, that’s my take on it.

[–] jorp@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

That's a very honest and self reflective stance that I think a lot of people would agree with. I don't think it's a moral failing, much of morality is putting aside your basic instinct and desire in favor of your rational mind realizing what's best for you and society at large.

People have empathy to varying degrees and it's something that needs training just like any other skill. Acknowledging where you have gaps and working rationally around those gaps is how you become a moral person. I don't think you were necessarily being hard on yourself but others feeling the same way might be so I figured I'd share this perspective.

[–] dohpaz42@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Well thank you for that assurance. It’s a scary thing to admit to, especially when you see people around you who seemingly do not struggle with this sort of thing. The whole, “I don’t need a book/law to tell me what’s right or wrong,” are lucky in that respect.

[–] jorp@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

I don't think any individual is implicitly moral with regards to everything. I'm not suggesting everyone has the same hidden desires but I believe everyone has some instinctive behaviors and thoughts that they need to challenge rationally in some way or another. Philosophical frameworks for morality wouldn't exist or be debated if it was unusual to need a rational framework for moral behavior.

Unless somehow every harm someone inflicted on another somehow affected themselves in the same way there'll always be a selfish instinct that has to be overcome. If it was easy it wouldn't be something to admire and respect as part of one's character.

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 0 points 4 months ago

Why should I put aside my feelings to protect someone else's feelings who aren't even gonna feel them for not knowing?

[–] bizarroland@fedia.io 1 points 4 months ago

I mean, I could see doing stuff like stealing an awful lot of money from large multinational corporations.

Stockpiling gold, jewelry, and valuables from predatory pawn shops and stuff like that.

I wouldn't have a lot of personal grief over the theft of property but I would have to draw the line where it comes to interfering with people.

I wouldn't use time stopping powers to rape anyone or to kill my enemies or anything like that.

Might take a few politicians and like royally fuck with them until they are so unsettled that they can't function in society anymore though.

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Nah, people will judge you for totally harmless shit. Their judgement doesn't mean you're wrong. People hide their gayness or niche religions under the everything of people and they should not have to.

[–] jorp@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

True when will rapists get to come out of the closet. What an insulting comparison.

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago

Who said anything about rape? Also clearly you can figure out morality without it being external judgement. You're coming at me with a chip on your shoulder.