Atheists & Agnostics

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts) Thu Apr 9, 2015, 06:43 AM Apr 2015

The art exhibit.

A brilliant artist created a spectacular art installation, a room filled with awe and wonder. She wished to share her work with the children of her nation, and so the installation was moved from school to school.

At one school the principal decided to conduct an experiment with two of the children. Both children were told that they must be very careful to not touch anything in the room, because the art was very fragile and precious and even the slightest touch from a hand could permanently ruin it. The first child was told this, and that she was on her own in the room to take in the sublime beauty of the piece without any interference. The second child was told that she would be watched the entire time by the principal through a hole in the ceiling of the room. Further she was told that if she touched anything she would be severely punished, but that if she did not touch anything she would get ice cream and cake as a reward.

Both children decided to do the right thing, to just experience as best they could the art in the room.

Which child was more moral?

Regurgitated from http://www.pointofinquiry.org

12 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The art exhibit. (Original Post) Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 OP

Excellent thought experiment... NeoGreen Apr 2015 #1

Point of inquiry podcast. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #2

Ah..ok...got it.. NeoGreen Apr 2015 #9

the third child. ChairmanAgnostic Apr 2015 #3

indeed. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #4

thinking outside of the box usually resulted in ChairmanAgnostic Apr 2015 #5

Which child was more moral? AlbertCat Apr 2015 #6

Actually the second child is amoral. Warren Stupidity Apr 2015 #8

really? Lordquinton Apr 2015 #7

Both children were probably equally moral, however... Binkie The Clown Apr 2015 #10

I like this response. beam me up scottie Apr 2015 #11

^^^this^^^ progressoid Apr 2015 #12

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)

1. Excellent thought experiment...

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 07:19 AM

Apr 2015

...I like it.

I am going to steal this.

Is this an WS original?

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)

2. Point of inquiry podcast.

Reply to NeoGreen (Reply #1)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 07:57 AM

Apr 2015

April 6 here http://www.pointofinquiry.org

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)

9. Ah..ok...got it..

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Reply #2)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 02:43 PM

Apr 2015

...in my back yard.

Zuckerman sure can talk fast.
I'm going to have to listen to this more than once.

Thanks!

ChairmanAgnostic

(28,017 posts)

3. the third child.

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 09:41 AM

Apr 2015

By staying home and avoiding any fucked up psych experiment, they are purer, more moral, and more ethical.

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)

4. indeed.

Reply to ChairmanAgnostic (Reply #3)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 10:17 AM

Apr 2015

ChairmanAgnostic

(28,017 posts)

5. thinking outside of the box usually resulted in

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Reply #4)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 10:22 AM

Apr 2015

the penguins forcing me to kneel in the corner for the rest of class. That, and holding me injured Left paw, after a penguin would use a steel ruler on it for, "Daring to use the Devil's hand."

I still feel a tad of turmoil when I see a penguin in full costume, so many decades later.

AlbertCat

(17,505 posts)

6. Which child was more moral?

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 01:39 PM

Apr 2015

Neither.

Because the 2nd child didn't believe a word about that being watched and punishment crap.

OK OK Seriously, I get the point. But it kinda sounds like a math word problem.

1) Kala started sinning at 35.6 mph. Roger is being blessed at 28.7 mph but started 1 hour before Kala. How many Hail Marys will it take for Kala to reach the same forgiveness as Roger?

a) 107.02
b) 37
c) Kala is a Hindu so she's doomed

2) George, Amy and Peter are studying particle physics. George has been a church-goer for 18 years, Amy for 21 and Peter for 25. Who will denied Jesus and become an atheist 1st?

a) Amy and Peter tied
b) George
c) None....they go to Liberty University and they don't teach science there.

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)

8. Actually the second child is amoral.

Reply to AlbertCat (Reply #6)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 02:31 PM

Apr 2015

As are those who act according to the "rule book" for fear that they will be punished for violations and/or in hope that they will be rewarded for obedience. They are not exercising moral judgement, they are, like the amoral Abraham, just following orders, even if that means slitting your son's throat.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)

7. really?

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 02:29 PM

Apr 2015

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)

10. Both children were probably equally moral, however...

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 02:44 PM

Apr 2015

The first child was given the opportunity to demonstrate that she was moral. The second child was deprived of the opportunity to demonstrate her morality.

A better test would be to repeat the trial with the scenarios reversed.

beam me up scottie

(57,349 posts)

11. I like this response.

Reply to Binkie The Clown (Reply #10)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 04:24 PM

Apr 2015

Although if the second child was raised in Phil Robertson's household I'd hide the flatware.

progressoid

(50,747 posts)

12. ^^^this^^^

Reply to Binkie The Clown (Reply #10)

Thu Apr 9, 2015, 10:38 PM

Apr 2015

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