Quote Originally Posted by pj View Post
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.[/b]
Actually, it's morality and ethics, and objectivity, the idea that something is objectively right, that has caused half of the world's problems. Crusades. Why did they happen? Because people honestly thought their religion was objectively right.

Even if you want to take the holocaust as an example - was this an example of objectivism or utlitarianism? Well, if you ask me, it's BOTH. Utilitarianism isn't the opposite of objectivism, it's a derivative of it. Utilitarianism is a system of thought based on the principle that the greatest good to the greatest number is somehow objectively right. Utilitarianism is just a system of morality based on principles which are just as objectivist as any other. The objectivist tenets are just a bit hidden, is all.

Also, and maybe this is just me, but PJ: You see the idea of "The Greater Good" as behind some of the world's biggest atrocities. I wou;ldn;t dispute that. But to me, the idea of "The Greater Good" is OBJECTIVIST rather than neccesarily utilitarian.