The Case for Grounding Ethics in Human Nature and Experience rather than Religion and Divine Commands???
Over the years, I have thought deeply about the basis for my ethical beliefs. To what extent is it based on my alignment with what Jesus preached and what Christianity is at its best (loving God and treating your neighbor as yourself) relative to the alternative of basing my ethical behavior on the realization that we as humans are “continuous with nature” and that as argued by the German philosopher, writer and anthropologist Ludwig Feuerbach, rooting our behavior in physical and social realities and observance of the importance of human relationships and dialogue.
Feuerbach in his work, The Essence of Christianity (1841) advocated for a shift from God-centered to human-centered ethics. He promoted a new philosophy that made man, with the inclusion of nature as the foundation of man, “unique, universal and the highest object of philosophy.” He wanted to ground ethics in human nature and experience rather than divine commands.
He argues that the concept of God is a projection of human qualities, something we have created.
He advocated the pursuit of happiness but argued that, in pursuing that goal, it was necessary to recognize the importance of the happiness of others.
This all raises the question. Is a secular, human-centered approach to ethics and morality one that can result in a more peaceful world and coexistence among peoples? We know that the pursuit of religion has often resulted in wars and there is no reason to feel that will end.
Where do I come out on all of this? What have I personally found to be true?
First, I take nourishment from viewing all of us as human beings as part of nature. It would be unrealistic to do otherwise. It’s a reality. But I also see no evidence that a nature-based human rights philosophy will, in fact, lead to a more peaceful world.
What I have concluded is that there is no getting around the inherent human tendency to pit ourselves against and elevate ourselves relative to other people. It’s ego-driven selfishness; it’s inextricable. This tendency co-exists with beneficent instincts too. Our task is, in proverbial terms, to live by the better angels of our nature.
What helps one do that? It will vary by individual, of course. For me, religion or, more precisely, the preaching of Jesus and what He stood for, which I find co-terminus with the foundational principles of other religions, has been of enormous help. I recognize that this foundation of belief may well be something I’ve created to serve as a proverbial crutch to improve my behavior. I accept that. I have no problem with it. But for me it is more than that. It is an inspiration to pursue what is good in life.
As beguiling and perhaps intellectually correct as the philosophy of Ludwig Feuerbach may be I do not retreat for a moment from my commitment to try to follow as best I can the preaching and actions of Jesus.
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