But group think can surely lead to bad moral decisions. Do you think Christianity would say morality is unchanging? Follow these 10 Commandments and when you do you will always be moral. Or interpretation allows for morals to change?
As far as Christianity is concerned, the interpretive aspects of its morality are demonstrated by the multitude of denominations. Yes, there is more top-down structure, but the evidence for moral practices comes from psychology and evolution.
Take two of the commandments— “you shall not kill” is clearly collaborative. We work together for our species survival, which comes from community.
“Honor your father and mother”— the meaning of this commandment changes in every age, as relational aspects between parents and children change. But there is still collaboration at the crux of it— in theory, your parents collaborate to take care of you when you’re born, and you then take care of them when they are aging.
Absolutely. I am not advocating for group-think as much as focusing on how the individual fits in the scheme of the whole. One brave person can still rise from the crowd and say “no, this is wrong”— and I think that clarity will come by reflecting upon collaboration.
For example, when Cato stood up to Caesar, he was standing for the Republic and democracy, which foster collaboration. Surely, Caesar’s sycophants were convinced that they were right, too— but their choices harmed collaboration (en route to Empire instead of Republic).
But group think can surely lead to bad moral decisions. Do you think Christianity would say morality is unchanging? Follow these 10 Commandments and when you do you will always be moral. Or interpretation allows for morals to change?
As far as Christianity is concerned, the interpretive aspects of its morality are demonstrated by the multitude of denominations. Yes, there is more top-down structure, but the evidence for moral practices comes from psychology and evolution.
Take two of the commandments— “you shall not kill” is clearly collaborative. We work together for our species survival, which comes from community.
“Honor your father and mother”— the meaning of this commandment changes in every age, as relational aspects between parents and children change. But there is still collaboration at the crux of it— in theory, your parents collaborate to take care of you when you’re born, and you then take care of them when they are aging.
Absolutely. I am not advocating for group-think as much as focusing on how the individual fits in the scheme of the whole. One brave person can still rise from the crowd and say “no, this is wrong”— and I think that clarity will come by reflecting upon collaboration.
For example, when Cato stood up to Caesar, he was standing for the Republic and democracy, which foster collaboration. Surely, Caesar’s sycophants were convinced that they were right, too— but their choices harmed collaboration (en route to Empire instead of Republic).
Thanks for your thoughts!
Beasts or gods...