timtyler comments on A funny argument for traditional morality - Less Wrong

15 Post author: cousin_it 12 July 2011 09:25PM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (70)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: Perplexed 15 July 2011 02:50:01PM 0 points [-]

My position here is roughly that all 'moral' values are instrumental in this sense. They are ways of coordinating so that people don't step on each other's toes.

Not sure I completely believe that, but it is the theory I am trying on at the moment. :)

Comment author: timtyler 15 July 2011 03:25:45PM *  1 point [-]

Right - but there are surely also ultimate values.

Those are the ones that are expected to be resistant to change.

It can't be instrumental values all the way down.

Comment author: Perplexed 16 July 2011 07:05:33PM 0 points [-]

Right - but there are surely also ultimate values.

Those are the ones that are expected to be resistant to change.

Correct. My current claim is that almost all of our moral values are instrumental, and thus subject to change as society evolves. And I find the source of our moral values in an egoism which is made more effective by reciprocity and social convention.

Comment author: timtyler 21 July 2011 08:19:01PM 0 points [-]

I think these guys have a point. So, from my perspective, Egoism is badly named.