Morality and Law: Drawing the Line

[Aldin]

Reminds me of John Barth's statement that everyone is the hero of their own story. Are we interested in laws that will restrict our preferred actions in the interest of restricting the actions of others? Say I play a friendly game of poker on Tuesday nights where the wagers are moderate but everyone knows their limits. Do I want a law making my Tuesday night games illegal if I believe there is a greater good of protecting folks that don't know their limits? Surely it would be easy for me to support and anti-gambling law if I don't gamble at all, but it's pretty tough when it takes away something I enjoy and feel is within acceptable moral parameters. When we discuss morality aren't we, to a certain extent, declaring ourselves and therefore our perspectives to be moral? Or is there an external moral standard (and if so, what is it)?

~Aldin, trying to do what's right

[Elven Lord]

To every discussion there must first be something that is agreed upon. In the case of Morality everyone must agree that there is a perfect moral standard. Then we can set about discussing what that moral standard is based on our individual moral standards. So my answer to Aldin's question has to be; yes, there is an external moral standard. We just do not fully understand it's nature.