Here’s a great video. It’s not short (31 mins) but its well worth watching right through – or downloading and watching later. Even watching several times, the speaker is so eloquent and precise with his language.
In it Scott Clifton gives a thorough critique of the Christian apologetics understanding of morality. He also gives a good outline of secular morality – a rational, objectively-based morality.
Treatise on Morality. – YouTube.
Clifton stress morality is important because it determines how we behave and how we interact with others. In the video he sets out to answer four questions:
- What do we specifically mean by words like “right,” “wrong,” “moral,” “immoral,” etc.?
- Why our definitions are useful and applicable and why they represent how the vast majority of people see these words, whether they realise it or not?
- How can we objectively determine what is “right” and what is “wrong” without appealing to personal taste or subjective opinion?
- Why we ought to do right and ought not to do wrong?
He answers the first question by defining “right” as that which promotes the health, happiness and well-being of humans. Or minimises unnecessary human pain or suffering. And “wrong” of course is the converse.
Immediately I know many readers will reject his definitions. But if you do, you should hear him out. Watch the video. Listen to his arguments.
I suspect you might find that you do in the end agree. I do.
