Quote Originally Posted by The View Post
I'm certainly not a moral objectivist. (It is moral objectivism we are talking about here, no?)[/b]
Not necessarily, though that could be part of it. Objectivism (cap O) is a western philosophy that recognizes reality for what it is - A is A and never B, that reason is man's only way to perceive and interpret reality, that ethics and morals are defined by self-interest, and that laissez-faire capitalism is the only truly moral and ethical economic system. It is as far as you can get from pragmatism.

I see the lack of objective morals and ethics being incredibly dangerous, as supported by a review of the most horrific acts throughout history. "The End Justifies The Means" has been the reasoning behind the deaths of hundreds of millions throughout history, by people and governments who were certain they were making a necessary (and thus pragmatic) sacrifice in bettering the world.

Without objective morals and ethics, there is nothing stopping you reasoning your way to justifying harm to me and then carrying out that harm with a completely clear conscious and possibly without social or legal detriment.

Objectivism places morals and ethics on the solid foundation of rational selfishness.