New on the site: Michi-bot. An intelligent assistant based on the writings of Rabbi Michael Avraham.

Morality in non-social contexts

שו”תCategory: philosophyMorality in non-social contexts
asked 9 years ago

Rabbi Michi,
Can you please explain to me in general terms what you think is the problem with the prevailing moral view today that says you are allowed to do whatever you want, as long as you don’t harm others? What is the problem with this view? (Such as there is no problem with having sex before marriage, as long as it is consensual) (It supposedly allows for maximum individual freedom, and you are very much in favor of this. I am aiming for the answer without getting into the religious dimension at all, because the basic premise of religion is often that there are things that precede morality, such as sacredness, etc., and then the problem is clear anyway)


Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

0 Answers
מיכי Staff answered 9 years ago
I do not see this as a problem in principle. On a principled level, it is true. Although there are several other aspects to take into account. For example, there are acts that are immoral even though they do not directly harm, and yet they are forbidden to be done (such as tax evasion or not voting in elections. See Notebook 4 on the categorical imperative). In addition, there is a way of life that is not moral, although it is difficult to say that there is a moral problem in it, such as a nihilistic life of pleasure only without engaging in things of value. What the Ramban describes in “Kedoshim Tehihu”.

Discover more from הרב מיכאל אברהם

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Back to top button