From: Simon Magson (twix_570@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Nov 16 2004 - 14:59:23 GMT
Platt Holden, strangely for a fan of Pirsig, wrote:
>
>I take it then that you would "pour dismissive scorn" on George Washington
>who is his farewell address wrote:
>
>"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity,
>religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man
>claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great
>pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and
>citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to
>respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their
>connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked:
>Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense
>of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of
>investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the
>supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may
>be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar
>structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national
>morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
>
>Washington answers the question, "What is the proper source of morality
>for a nation?"
>
>I wonder what your answer might be.
There is a novel called "Lila: An Inquiry into Morals" which provides a
rather nice discussion about the source of morality.
SM
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