Do "morals" hinder the progress of civilization?

Question

Do "morals" hinder the progress of civilization?

Answer 1

I see morals and civilizations as very unrelated things.

It has now been determined that "loose morals", whatever that means, did not cause the collapse of the Roman Empire.  It was far more likely caused by extensive and chronic lead poisoning over many generations.  The poor Romans put lead in their wine and their drinking pipes were made from lead and they ate off of lead plates.  The results was extensive lead poisoning over hundreds of years.  If it hadn't been for Plumbum, the Roman Empire might still be around.

Morals simply mean that people have a sense of fairness.  At best it might bend the jurisprudence and the religious values towards a better equality for humanity.  It may even shape the forms of our civilization but it is not the cause or the limitations of civilizations.  Civilizations are mainly the results of human social productivity, science, arts, literature, philosophy, religions, and governments.  It is the interweaving of those factors and the persona of unique individuals that become the famous and the infamous.

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of progress and what goals are trying to be achieved

In all of them save ONE. Moral absolutes greatly hinder and even stunt the progress of civilization.- e.g Economically, scientifically, etc.

However, if you believe like many of the answerers here, that the condition of the human person as a social being (that is his true nature), then moral absolutes are The ONLY THING that allows progress.

You question is totally dependent on what is deemed important.  Most people, which is a problem with out society, care little for what improves them as a person, because they want instant gratification. Thats why you have greedy and vain people.

Morals wouldnt allow them as easily the luxuries they enjoy. Your question falls into a bigger question.- What is more important to human beings- unnecesary luxuries or true growth.

Morals hinder if you just want to blindly advance society in a relatavistic manner.

Morals enhance if you want to take resposibility and control yourself in a manner befitting of a human being's dignity.

Answer 3

Actually I think its quite the opposite... Without a moral code we'd be restricted to what we could achieve... Morals are necessary for creatures to work together.

Answer 4

Au contraire. Without that, law of the jungle prevails and all people live in fear of each other.

Answer 5

I think morals are codes of conduct.  They are a part of civilization, of a culture.  They can be very helpful as something to rely on when a person really doesn't know what to do in a situation and needs a guideline.  I think it's when they are taken too seriously, like they are delivered from God and must be followed no matter what, is when they become restrictive and hold people back.  But, then again, I think all absolute truths(statements that are supposed to be true for all circumstances and can't be argued with) have the effect of holding back progress.  If they really were absolute truths they would be helpful.  But we can never know for sure if they are.  And many statements once thought to be absolutely true turned out to have exceptions.  But the church, scientific community or otherwise, held on to the "truth" at odds with evidence suggesting otherwise, and impeded progress.

Answer 6

Lack of morals  helped to collapse the roman empire

Answer 7

the world should be a more straightforward place only the strong surviving, darwinian balance at its best, no laws or morals, eat or be eaten

Answer 8

Yer killing me.

Morals are civilization.

To be civil is to behave morally.

Answer 9

Morals do not hinder...  good morals add to the progression where lack of morals stagnate a nation.

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Answer 10

There would be no civilization without morals.  This is what differentiates us from animals, which (presumably) do not have morals.

Answer 11

Absolutely not !

As a society,  having morals, and deciding to ignore them,  is what truly separates us from the animals.

Answer 12

It really depends on the morals in question, and the society for that matter. if one of your morals that your serve god(this is just an example not an opinion) no matter what and go on a very destructive crusade that hinders  the proliferation of two very large and influential society's(Europe and Muslim) then yes it does hinder the progress. But if one of your morals is to be the best person you can be, then you can help to contribute to society. Moral as a whole probably do hinder the progress of civilization, but without morals can it really be called civilization? With out morals are we any more than animals?

Answer 13

Morals such as the Ten Commandments are a perfect law.

It disturbs me that in 2008, we think ourselves modern and yet we are still primitive that we have refused to follow what was put before us to live in harmony as human beings.

Answer 14

yes

civilisation created the morals, and now has to argue with everyone about them if we wish to progress to a higher level.

Such as with cloing and genetics.