08 julho 2008

moral relativism


In the debate below, the Christian (Catholic) position can be described as follows: religion is the domain of faith and is presided by God, morality being an offspring of religion. Conversely, the Kantian position can be thus described: morals is the domain of reason and is presided by men's Cathegorical Imperative, religion being an offspring of morals.

Compared to the Catholic position, Kant substitutes the Cathegorical Imperative for God and the primacy of morals for the primacy of religion. Which of these two philosophical systems leads to an absolute system of morals?

The answer is: the Catholic system only. God decrees His words to men which are accepted as a matter of faith. No discussion is involved. God's words are then used by men as rules of morality. In the Kantian system it is different. Men decree the Cathegorical Imperative. This is a product of human reason, thus subject to critical discussion. Disagreement is expected. Soon there will be for each situation as many cathegorical imperatives as there are men. God blesses all of them. This is moral relativism. Kant made too much of human reason. There is no such thing as an universal or absolute human reason. Actually, it is relative and corruptible. God is not.

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