Note that the person has to believe that they have violated a moral standard and it has to be a standard that they believe in.
Modify any of the two beliefs and the guilt status will be changed.
Note that because guilt is based on the two beliefs, that it is an emotion and internally felt. An oppressor cannot make us feel guilty with force unless they convince us to change our beliefs.
Guilt comes from doing something one believes should not be done or not taking action when one believes that action should be taken.
It is therefore all encompassing as a result on how we pass judgement on our everyday actions and decisions. Therefore, pivotal to whether we live a happy, carefree life or one burdened with guilt.
Where do these beliefs come from?
Our parents and other authority figures central to our upbringing likely have the biggest influence on our moral standard.
Once accepted, these foundations are seldom questioned and become "inherent" in our judgement of right and wrong. Is this where we get the emotional feeling that something just feels "right" or "wrong"? And then use logic to justify that initial feeling?
On top of which, many of us believe in our "true inner self", that we must trust how we feel. If we feel guilty, we must be guilty!
A well defined moral standard helps in deciding guilt. The religious have their holy books and messengers from god to help them determine where guilt exists.
Is the incompetent murderer intending to kill but did not succeed more or less guilty than the masterful executioner who kill with precision but not personal premeditated intent?
We don't punish murderers who bungled and ended up not hurting anyone. Is that "right"?
Can we live in a world without guilt? How will be be motivated to fulfill our "obligations"?
Or are obligations just another form of guilt in disguise?Is guilt the glue that holds social communities together?
Should we change our beliefs when we feel guilty and talk ourselves out of our guilty feelings?
Let's hear your thoughts on Wednesday!
I like to differentiate between guilty feelings and having a conscience. If I am acting with conscience I would hope I wouldn't feel guilty. I would if I did something to harm someone, but then I would want to correct the harm or at least not do it again.
ReplyDeleteBut if I am a moral person I do the right thing 'cause that's what people do. With this rule, if I was an axe murderer I could do my "work" and believe that morality must trump conscience as mine says murder is OK and only if MORALITY says its not OK then its still OK. So morality needs to be based on the rule of what works for the many, where individuals don't have responsibilities or rights.
But who would we charge for the murder? The person, their family, society, or maybe something else?
So the murderer can get away with it 'cause unless he or she is caught they never did it.