Poll: Do we believe things, just because we're told to?

[RedDiablo]

So your friend is a Subjectivist, someone who believes that values differ from person to person. I think that childhood beliefs are a mix of opinion, having those values installed in us as a child and knowing the truth. For example, when I was a kid, my parents told me that standing around in the cold would give you a cold. But guess what, science proved that standing around in the cold doesn't give you a cold. And philosophy also helped me learn that you should question everything. As Descartes said, "I was struck by the amount of falsehoods I accepted as a child."

 

[Ago Iterum]

P.S.
Did he actually say something along the lines of: "Murder is totally chill brah, dunt be a hater and be all like jailin' them all that be capin' them all?" (I live in California, we speak like this)

I'd have to hear his side of the argument before I declare you the winner-for-life

Yes, he said murder shouldn't be punished, and paedophiles shouldn't be jailed etc.

When I asked him a hypothetical, which was 'If you were leader of the world, would you make these things legal?'

He said yes, because he 'hates government, hates civilisation, hates the world, and hates everybody.' So people who are thinking that he was putting forth an intelligent argument against what I was saying... ...Think again. It's in my opinion, complete immaturity. Especially since this guy lives alone, collecting dole, and other benifits that he's not entitled to, as he pretends he's disabled...

And he hates the government and the tax payers that do this for him. His problem is, he believes things that are the oppposite of what the majority thinks. He thinks it's good to murder people because everyone else thinks it's bad, and tells you not to. It really is like fighting with a 10 year old.

 

[Ago Iterum]

So your friend is a Subjectivist, someone who believes that values differ from person to person. I think that childhood beliefs are a mix of opinion, having those values installed in us as a child and knowing the truth. For example, when I was a kid, my parents told me that standing around in the cold would give you a cold. But guess what, science proved that standing around in the cold doesn't give you a cold. And philosophy also helped me learn that you should question everything. As Descartes said, "I was struck by the amount of falsehoods I accepted as a child."

Yeah I see what you mean. I agree fully that it is a mixture, but I stand by my belief that pre-installed empathy keeps up from hurting others without reason.

 

[LewsTherin]

I believe that morals are universal, as are right and wrong. They have nothing to do with societies regulations and laws, they have nothing to do with how you are raised, and the most certainly have nothing to do with your religious/sexual persuasion.

Stuff like murder, rape, theft, adultery, etc. are wrong. Boom. Period.

Dishonest, cruelty, intolerance, and all the trappings of them are wrong. Why? Because they cause harm to other people. The whole "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" thing.

 

[Say Anything]

Morals are opinions because they are decided by cultural emotions and are not mathematical, scientific, or historical fact. Just look at history. In B.C. the death penalty was used for even the smallest crimes. Now it is banned in a large portion of the world, if not most. Morals change as society does.

I think this is the best answer. OP thinks that since 90% of people share similar beliefs with him, then he's right. It's really what you believe, and you can't force anyone to think the same way. There's not a contract you have to sign when you're placed onto Earth that says you have to believe what everyone else believes. Sure, you and me think pedophilia or murder is totally disgusting and wrong, but why does that make us right? Where's the book that says everything OP and Say Anything say is law? There's two sides to a coin, and you can't make everyone think like you.

 

[Raregolddragon]

Grind the universe down and run it tough the finest sifter and you will never find a ounce of justice or a grain of fairness. We believe in lies like Santa when we are young in order to believe in bigger lies of are world.