Does any philosophical theory permit absolute neutrality?

[quackerww]

Does any philosophical theory permit absolute neutrality?

No matter the action, nothing is neither right nor wrong... Like a racist and cultural humanitarian being on the same ground universally.

Jesus without religion.
A person who thinks and listens but never subscribes to absolutes, as they are all philosophically moot.

Looking for authors...

Perhaps existentialism??? Then again.

A person without religion, government, social attachments... In some cases personal moral code (not evil or good) - Yet in the same bucket one who would never hurt another individual? Perhaps I am stretching this to far.

Pacifist....

 

[Cogman]

I find this question very biased....

What is absolute neutrality? I would say it exists, but only in a reality matter. There is no absolutely neutral thing. From one observer to the next, what is considered neutral will be completely different.

 

[quackerww]

Originally posted by: Cogman
I find this question very biased....

What is absolute neutrality? I would say it exists, but only in a reality matter. There is no absolutely neutral thing. From one observer to the next, what is considered neutral will be completely different.

a rock?

 

[Cogman]

How can you say a rock is neutral? I believe it to be very unbalanced. Heck, I've never seen a rock that doesn't have some sort of charge on it, however minuet.

Heck, I know of Russian rocks, English rocks, even American rocks. They clearly can be considered part of some nation.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos.

 

[angminas]

I don't know if you would find this really satisfying, but the first person I think of is Ursula K. Le Guin. The Wizard of Earthsea series...well, I won't spoil anything, but it's influenced by Daoism. I think you would find the philosophy very interesting after the first half of the first book, which is only 120 pages in total anyway.

1000th post. I believe some candy would be appropriate!

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: angminas
I don't know if you would find this really satisfying, but the first person I think of is Ursula K. Le Guin. The Wizard of Earthsea series...well, I won't spoil anything, but it's influenced by Daoism. I think you would find the philosophy very interesting after the first half of the first book, which is only 120 pages in total anyway.

1000th post. I believe some candy would be appropriate!

 

[ixelion]

Yes there is:

Rousseau's "On the Origin of Inequality" suggests that before the development rational thought, humans were largely "neutral" - he doesn't mean neutral in an absolute analytical sense, but he only suggests that humans did not perceive each other as "bad" or "good".

I am not really doing his theory justice, I would suggest you read up on his essay "Origin of Inequality" or "Discourse on Inequality"


P.S. You are never going to get a good answer in a forum post this type of thing requires quite a bit of reading.

A person who thinks and listens but never subscribes to absolutes, as they are all philosophically moot.

You are describing "Socrates"/Plato

Perhaps existentialism??? Then again.

Existentialists have their own "moral absolutes" primarily subjective\physical experience over rational thought. This would be a good solution to what Rousseau would call "corruption" by civil society.

As I said before internet forums are not the best places for philisophical discussion, they usually require a giant wall of text that no one will read I suggest you hook up with some philosophy buffs and have a chat.

 

[Viper0329]

I would venture to say that such a philosophy would most probably be found in the East. In fact, what you describe sounds quite close to the Hindu concept of moksha, or perhaps even the Buddhist samsara. You probably won't find much in Western thought.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: quackerww
Does any philosophical theory permit absolute neutrality?

No matter the action, nothing is neither right nor wrong... Like a racist and cultural humanitarian being on the same ground universally.

Jesus without religion.
A person who thinks and listens but never subscribes to absolutes, as they are all philosophically moot.

Looking for authors...

Perhaps existentialism??? Then again.

A person without religion, government, social attachments... In some cases personal moral code (not evil or good) - Yet in the same bucket one who would never hurt another individual? Perhaps I am stretching this to far.

Pacifist....

Why do you feel the need to fit into an existing bucket ?

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: quackerww
Does any philosophical theory permit absolute neutrality?

No matter the action, nothing is neither right nor wrong... Like a racist and cultural humanitarian being on the same ground universally.

Jesus without religion.
A person who thinks and listens but never subscribes to absolutes, as they are all philosophically moot.

Looking for authors...

Perhaps existentialism??? Then again.

A person without religion, government, social attachments... In some cases personal moral code (not evil or good) - Yet in the same bucket one who would never hurt another individual? Perhaps I am stretching this to far.

Pacifist....

John Lennon - Imagine

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: angminas
I don't know if you would find this really satisfying, but the first person I think of is Ursula K. Le Guin. The Wizard of Earthsea series...well, I won't spoil anything, but it's influenced by Daoism. I think you would find the philosophy very interesting after the first half of the first book, which is only 120 pages in total anyway.

1000th post. I believe some candy would be appropriate!

Taoism.

 

[angminas]

Originally posted by: Nik

Thanks, I'm hungry :sun:

Originally posted by: nerp

Taoism.

That's the one. I was thinking of the pronunciation.

 

[quackerww]

I'm wondering what else should be looked at... Does anyone have any other examples. I know it is hard to discuss philosophy on these forums, but I am really looking to learn more about this subject.

 

[Cheeseplug]

Originally posted by: nerp
Taoism.

Old school translation. Everything I've seen lately has been Daoism. My philosophy of religion prof (Korean dude, specialises in eastern thought/religion) made it very clear to call it Daoism. Not that it really matters.

Dao thought is right up the neutral stance path. You are supposed to live your life as nature would, judging neither good nor bad. You just accept what is and what people are and try to live you life effortlessly. Try reading some Chuang Tzu.

 

[Madwand1]

Pure neutrality sounds like intellectual or moral cowardice to me, or at least pretty dry and dull matter, but there is a flavor of it in a number of religions, which sometimes goes under the name "detachment".

http://www.amazon.com/Meister-...-Nothing/dp/157062139X

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: Cheeseplug

Originally posted by: nerp
Taoism.

Old school translation. Everything I've seen lately has been Daoism. My philosophy of religion prof (Korean dude, specialises in eastern thought/religion) made it very clear to call it Daoism. Not that it really matters.

Dao thought is right up the neutral stance path. You are supposed to live your life as nature would, judging neither good nor bad. You just accept what is and what people are and try to live you life effortlessly. Try reading some Chuang Tzu.

I have.

Taoism is cool but I'm more of a transcendentalist.

 

[Taughnter]

Originally posted by: quackerww
Does any philosophical theory permit absolute neutrality?

No matter the action, nothing is neither right nor wrong... Like a racist and cultural humanitarian being on the same ground universally.

Check out Moral Relativism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_relativism

It doesn't specifically permit neutrality, but rather says that there are no absolute rights or wrongs. Everything is relative to the circumstances.

I wouldn't say that this equates to pacifism per se, but it could depending on your interpretation.

 

[chalmers]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k