Evidence That Moral Judgment is Just a Function of the Brain
That got you to finally visit my blog, didn’t it?
Several questions are raised in this TED Talk video. Do these findings refute Paul’s premise for his words, “When I was a child, I talked like a child…?” Are certain people predisposed to making certain moral decisions regardless of their spiritual condition? Do we really biologically develop the ability to judge the motives of another in spite of I Corinthians 2:11? Is understanding someone’s motives just a cognitive function which drains Jeremiah 17:9 of its authority?
Perhaps the most disturbing issue raised by Rebecca Saxe’ research, at least for Christians, is that perhaps there are, in spite of moral relativism, absolute truths; and that these absolute truths are the result of the evolution of human brains rather than established as inalienable by an omniscient, omni-present, omnipotent creator. Ms. Saxe’ points are diligently researched, well-reasoned and persuasive. Dismiss them out of hand at your own peril.
Of course, I’m playing the role of devil’s advocate (which holds an irony all its own) and I don’t subscribe to these viewpoints. However, we must be intellectually equipped to address these issues within the framework of a Biblical worldview.
I can honestly say that I don’t know what I think about all of this. Perhaps that’s exactly why I find it so unsettling. I sheepishly admit that this is a scientific premise my feeble theological framework was not equipped to address. I feel akin to the second-hand philosopher Max Klinger when he said, “If I had all the answers I’d run for God.”
But, I refuse to be caught unprepared to give a testimony in or out of season. So, here we are. Let’s get some iron sharpening goin’ on here. What do you think? Watch the video and let the discussion begin.
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Tags: 1 corinthians 2:11, jeremiah 17:9, MASH, max klinger, rebecca saxe, ted talk