Now we understand that we, as a culture, are bred to gauge our success through the validation of others, and therefore look towards others for affirmations on what is morally just.
We also know that cultural pockets throughout the country have different sets of behaviors and codes of ethics that shape what they consider to be morally acceptable, which differs by demographics. Politicians, newscasters and generally anyone else who rises to the level of the public eye will cater to the beliefs of a specific demographic to gain a following and grow influence.
Eventually, the demographic will look to the influencer for clarity on the moral high ground for various issues. And, because there are different demographics, what is considered morally right will be a point of contention from issue to issue.
To make it easier for government to pass legislation quickly and effectively govern, these issues are often dichotomized. This in turn causes the general public to be dichotomized as social influencers use Groupthink to rile the support of their respective voter base to whatever their position is on the issue in debate.
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Groupthink & Moral Relativism
::DISCLAIMER:: If you haven't done so already, please check out Part I AND Part II of this post to get the backstory. Cheers!
Groupthink combined with Moral Relativism is a paralyzing social force!
We now have a split camp with strong opposing emotions over politicized moral issues such as abortion and universal healthcare. These emotions have often been triggered by deepseated indoctrination and the tendency towards groupthink which stamps out any dissident viewpoints.
However, neither side can claim the moral high ground on these issues because Moral relativism says that moral belief will vary depending on cultural impact.
If anyone does stake a moral claim on an issue.. say like:
"It's wrong to kill Babies!"
Than the Social Justice Warriors will sweep in with any random counter argument to prove you wrong:
"What if this baby is the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Charles Mason combined?! By NOT killing him, you are condemning millions of people to suffer intolerable atrocities and death by his hand! ARG!"
It has gotten to the point where we can't make a moral claim on any issue, meaning that all issues, in effect, have become amoral. As a society, we have become morally-hamstrung, and therefore we clutch at any opportunity that may provide moral-catharsis or vindication.
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That's the reason why the social influencers were on their soapboxes again today...
It's why my news feed had conflicting headlines from Fox News and the Washington Post all claiming victory again. Painting the picture that aligns with their respective viewers moral code..
I had to laugh.
Everyone on both sides, news reporters, politicians, the American people, and the world as a whole are all still clambering to be told what to think. They are looking for answers not moral ambiguity. Everyone wants to know.. or more accurately be told.. what the report means. They want to be told what to think of it because they can't think for themselves anymore.
What's hilarious is.. the ONE PERSON who can do that, continues to refuse to do so.. and it's driving people mad!
Robert Mueller finally did a press conference today in which everyone expected to get a clear cut answer as to what it all means. And he gave them nothing! The biggest letdown for the public in years! How delightfully exasperating!
"If we had had confidence that the President clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so," Mueller said. "We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the President did commit a crime."
And the prize for the most meaningless statement ever goes to...
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I think it's fantastic! It's like the ending to the Sopranos, Lost and Game of Thrones all wrapped up into one. The build up, the hype, the suspense.. begging for answers.. for a resolution.. and then.. BAM! nothing! utter disappointment and confusion, earth-shattering!
The confusion was a rare crack of shock and disbelief for the social figureheads who were ready for either a victory lap, or to be up in arms.. the slight twitch in their eye, jaw agape, was but a momentary loss for words.
That has passed now though, and as the dust has settled, the time-worn practice of spinning the wheel in their favor has resumed.
...Oh well, I guess well have to wait another day for that wheel to break.. but then again.. I'm not Daenerys Targaryen.
I think if we all attempted to discern what is right and wrong from within, we would find that our morals are not so different after all. But it's as you say; people would rather source their opinions from the mouths of people they trust, because it's easier and more comfortable than scrutinising your own decisions - plus, it's a good way to feel like you're part of something larger, because more often than not, the moral opinion is the opposite from what society tells us, and so to hold that opinion is to be alone far too frequently.
This is why I am against organised religion and even the law. Once a person starts looking to an external source in order to learn what is moral, they have effectively rid themselves of the need to think for themselves, and from that point, the decisions they make are no longer their own.
Bingo! I would have to agree. I think there are certain inviolable moral truths, but the way society operates can often put us at odds with those morals. This leaves us with the difficult decision to stand up for what we're believe and face ostracization or to suppress what we feel and 'fall in line', which paves the way for groupthink to flourish and be manipulated.
Most organized religions are a prepackaged "meaning of life". They provide you with a set of ethics and moral norms to follow (which isn't necessarily bad) but most people buy into it because then they don't have to figure it out for themself, which can often be difficult but ultimately more rewarding.
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