_Robert_

– what I mean is, we can compare any two crimes and usually, one will be worse than another.

Of course you can. That’s the basis of any legal system. The result will be a subjective, non universal conclusion. Sorry, but there is no ultimate law maker or judge. Objective methods don’t work. We are great apes trying to get along enough to survive. W…[Read more]

Thanks Davis. I have committed just about everything on your list at least one time except for waterboarding of course. The last one was my favorite. I needed stuff for the confessional you know.

Earle is obviously a strong minded individual, having debunked evolution right here in front of us and mentally staved off all of his homosexual tendencies. I was only reconsidering my lack of belief in the lord when he hit us with such important ethics lessons and knowledge of bronze/iron age history. Lord, thank you so much for sending this wise…[Read more]

– I think that the greater good can be universalised, not as the greatest good for the greatest number, but the greatest good for each individual. This is achieved through universal human rights (or could be) where the individual is given the maximum benefit and minimum harm available to them.

You have a neighbor who has a dog. He wants to let h…[Read more]

universalizability principle,
Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law.

Lets try that out. Thou shall not steal. Seems reasonable, seems universal, even was commanded by a well worshipped god.

Now start listing the infinite number of exceptions…

Thou shall not steal, unless…[Read more]

Jesus gave the same formula (love God, love your neighbour as yourself)

Meaningless.  The formula Jesus gave us was that human sacrifice is required and that your “sins” are not your responsibility as long as you believe. It’s repugnant. Come on Simon, dig a little deeper.

Do you think its possible using purely rational methods to arrive at universal moral principles?

Since overwhelming evidence shows that we have evolved from very less complicated lifeforms that are not held to moral standards why would anyone assume existence of universal moral principals (or the eternal justice that half-witted theists used to…[Read more]

That’s a very nice piece. I love the slower steady rhythmic banjo chord style. I won’t be playing much bluegrass for a while, however I want to integrate that style as  point of interest into the pop/rock bands where I currently play keyboards. I also play bass guitar in another band and even had a gig recently where both bands played and I got…[Read more]

When visiting Venezia they were holding an ancient musical instrument exhibit in an old cathedral. The forerunners of the violin, harpsichord, piano, guitars and many more. For me it was a highlight. And absolutely; musical instruments are constantly evolving !!! The banjo came to the America’s in the heart’s of African slaves who did their best…[Read more]

Ham’s childlike understanding of the past (if he really believes his own BS (why is he here in the American South?)) will appeal to children and retard their mental development for sure. The smart ones will eventually reject this idiocy as they look at the fossil record and begin to understand the science of biology/genetics and become very, very…[Read more]

I have observed raven funerals near my house. A bobcat got one and they hung around the pile of feathers for half a day.

I feed the fish in my quarter-acre pond. There are largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, catfish, tilapia and a turtle. They have distinct “personalities” by species and even within species. They know I am very different than the 5-foot tall great blue heron who visits often. They swarm the shoreline when I arrive with my container of food. The bass…[Read more]