Debate discussion

I'm having a problem. It's probably just my usual angst, but I'd like to hear your opinions on it. What defines "good" and "bad?" I obviously understand the general meanings of these things, and can tell whether something is "good" or "bad," but what does that truly mean? A note, I'm not talking about behavoir, I'm talking about morality and ethics.

Whatever people make it mean. It's the truth. There are no absolute morals.

Then how do I direct the moral issues in my life?

That makes sense. But, why shouldn't I do that? What do I lose from being immoral?

I do too, but that's simply feeling ingrained into me by society. The most obvious proof of this is how we judge cars. If you see a new car, you realize that it is new, and an old car is obviously old. You may have your own opinions about how they look, but you know almost instinctively that a car is a new model because specific design nuances are marketed as being new.

What do I lose from being immoral?

Among other things, you lose your standing in society as a moral person, and therefore the trust of others, which will affect the way you're treated.

True. But in response to Dan's argument, many immoral people get away with it, just look at multinational corporations, music publishers and the World Bank.

Sorry. It's just angst. My point is that I really don't feel any reason not to be immoral.

I do.

I guess it is.

Mukesh wrote: "Sorry. It's just angst. My point is that I really don't feel any reason not to be immoral."

I don't think there are many practical reasons not to be immoral either, though I know some ppl would explain it with evolution. People who do bad things can often get away with them if they're smart or lucky enough, and some might not even feel guilt because they justify that with some religion/ideology, so we need some sense of morality to at least try to do the right thing.