Resolve: Arguments involving morals standards are weak and/or useless - take 2

To begin, I'd like to offer a few definitions ; Morality is a sense of behavioral conduct that differentiates intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good (or right) and bad (or wrong). [1] (The link is to wikipedia ; the definition derives from 5 separate sources of information) I agree with your definition of standard. Opinion ; A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert. [2] Moral Value ; Moral values are the standards of good and evil, which govern an individual's behavior and choices. [3] Ethics ; Ethics, also known as moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice, etc. [4] First, I will address my own case, then move onto my opponent's case. 1. Morality effects our lives Every individual has some sense of morals, whether they be religious, from the law of the land, or from self, we all use them in our decisions. Morality has a HUGE impact on our own society. Humans are moral creatures ; they make decisions based on their own value system. For example, a person may have a value system to respect right to body ; however, they make also respect the legality of something, which may lead to them not engaging in said action because of a moral conflict. This is important to know ; moral standards impact our every day life, and everything we do in our life. To say that using morals as a standard is weak is ludicrous ; in fact, they are one of the largest aspects of our lives. This is evidenced by the fact that laws are created out of morals ; this is clearly seen through the value of freedom and equality as in the US Constitution, specifically referring to the first amendment. If you do not have a moral high ground, you cannot hold a legal one. 2. Moral Values evolve to be stronger Morals are opinions ; however, they are often scrutinized and altered as accepted. For example, previously in history, slavery was acceptable. Our morals, as a society, has changed and grown, and deemed slavery to be immoral. This is a strong example of the big picture ; with time, we refine moral ideas. The refinement of morals is usually done through a number of things ; scientific research, philosophical studies, public debates, and the refinement of life. While many people hold different moral values, it doesn't dispute the fact that the strongest moral values do hold impact in life. Again, our morals are a part of us in our lives ; to say it is weak or useless is to embrace a world without motive. 3. Morals create incentive As I stated in the end of my second contention, without morals we do not have motive to act or not to act. For example, what dictates if you should kill someone? Without morality, we have no law to dictate this, and without morality, we have no reason to do so one way or another. However, if we add morality into the mix, it becomes more clear. If the man has intention of harming you, it becomes self defense ; you defending your own right to body. Without morality, the situation doesn't matter ; morality dictates motive. In short, without morals, we cannot have laws. To say a moral standard is weak is to say that laws are weak and/or useless. When we use moral standards, through scrutiny of argumentation over the integrity of said value, a stronger moral system is created. Without morals, we don't have motive, and without motive, we do not have reason to act one way or another. Argumentation involving morals can be some of the strongest ; morals dictate our lives and our laws. On to my opponent's case ; 1. Moral standards vary I concede that moral standards DO vary ; however, through scrutiny of debate (IE, Argumentation) the weaker morals fall, and the stronger morals strive. WW2 is a great example of this. Hitler believed it was justifiable to take away others' lives, in an attempt to take over the world. However, the spark of WW2 was the Treaty of Versailles from WW1. This Treaty trampled germany into the ground, bankrupting them, removing their ability to maintain an airforce, and a heavily restricted ground force. In a sense Germans wanted to stop the oppression against them ; this made it easy for Hitler to take control and act on his own moral actions (which were immoral by most of the World). While they are not set in stone, they are scrutinized. The stronger morals rise to the top ; and because of this, moral standards are strong arguments. When we have a moral high ground, the laws can and likely will change to match the moral standard. In debate, morality is vital. Morals prevent greed and corruption ; morals can and typically do override personal gain. 2. Morals are opinions I've addressed this, so i'll paraphrase here. Morals are opinions, but the strongest morals will be accepted ; the weakest morals will be dropped. That is why we debate the morality of something ; because morality impacts everyone. Morals are intuitive ; they do not require external evidence to be accepted. For example, the evidence for freedom being a good moral value is self evident ; that we should all be allowed to make our own choices. 3. Moral standards are weak arguments because the standard varies. Again, this is condensible into a single phrase ; Stronger morals will rise ; weaker morals will fall. In short, morality is a huge aspect of life. They impact our laws, our decisions, and yes, even our intentions. The stronger the moral, the more it makes intuitive sense, the more accepted and approved the moral becomes. When people rise past previous biases, new moral ideals will emerge ; and that is why moral arguments are so important when debating any issue. I'll end with a quote, "Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim. " - Aristotle [1]. http://en.wikipedia.org... [2]. http://www.thefreedictionary.com... [3]. http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org... [4]. http://en.wikipedia.org...