Monday, October 29, 2012

Morality, God, and The Limits of Reason

If Reason had a Deity, it would be the ancient Logos, not to be confused with the Christianized variation.  If it were the basis of a Moral doctrine, 'good' would be either rational processes, or whatever promotes rational processes.  Likewise, 'evil' would be either irrational processes, or whatever promotes irrational processes, including whatever is detrimental to rational processes.  Now, since the satisfaction of need can breed complacency, individual happiness is not necessarily a rational 'good'.  Hence, even as a reward for rational conduct, happiness is not necessarily a 'good'.  Therefore, Kant's concept of Deservedness, which combines rational conduct with happiness as its reward, as well as what he derives from it--the existence of 'God', and an appropriate Religion--are, from the outset, outside the limits of Reason.

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