Now that I’ve laid all this out, have I just written God out of morality? No. I believe that God created human beings with these mirror neurons so that “do unto others” would make sense to us all. Humans didn’t obtain strong mirror neurons by accident. Rather they were placed in us so that we could experience empathy and so love each other and do the work of making the world a safe and just place for us all. And then God gave us Jesus to teach us—and more importantly, to show us—what a life without other-making looks like.
I don’t think that morality can be used to prove God, but I think that mirror neurons can assist us in creating a Jesus-like morality that could be a basic morality for all people, even those who do not believe in Jesus. It will not be the same as Jesus’ morality. For a good portion of Jesus’ morality is based on the idea of a God of mercy judging those who act on principles of hatred. However, a communication of the morality of mirror neurons can help us achieve an agreement on morality that can never be achieved in the multi-faceted, confusing world of religion.
The connection between morality and God is less intuitive, I think. God placed mirror neurons within us in order to experience and create community. And we have shared morality with those we are in community with—whether we like it or not. If we cannot share values with someone in community, then the community is broken. So what does this have to do with God? God is a part of our community.
God isn’t a peer, mind you. God is the creator and sustainer of all things. We should be grateful to Him and hear Him as He tells us how to live. Nevertheless, He created us in such a way that we might be in community with Him. Mirror neurons were given to us so that we might associate with God.
This makes me think that atheism and agnosticism, although intellectually quite different, are emotionally similar. Secularists cannot connect with God through their mirror neurons. Religionists might connect with God or not. Some actually sense God and recognize Him and have God as a part of their community. For some, the religious community is enough.
But the purpose of the religious community is not to create a moral atmosphere, although it helps. The point of religious community is to help one see God as a part of our broad community. If God is a part of our community, then what He says is moral or immoral is very significant. Not just as a member of the community, but as creator of it. Thus, if God is the creator of mirror neurons, then mirror neurons is a very important guide to help us understand God’s desire for our morality.
And thus, the main questions of morality are: How do we live in community with each other? How do we live in community with God? And how do we live in community with the rest of nature? Each question has a different answer. But the significant thing is that we answer these questions. The question of morality is not a matter of rule or laws. Nor is it a matter of creating the most happiness. It is simply a matter of relationship.
This is just like the "You're in my dream" discussion. You can't accept the fact that other people do not share your believes, so you come up with some bogus about mirror-neurons not being accepted by the non-believers.
ReplyDeleteLOL?
How about this then;
The mirror-neurons are actually a means of the mind to concieve ideas about completely irrational beings to defend ourselves against the concept that we are our own masters and control our own destiny. The people who cannot interact with said neurons simply accept this concept and move on, but others start hearing voices (according to themselves) and seeking for this elevated being in whatever nearby majorly accepted religion at hand.
Just sayin'. Just as plausible.
I'm not much for scientology since no one ever back their theories properly. Its just empty words.
Same as religion.
I don't really understand what you are talking about here. Mirror neurons is science, not religion or "scientology"-- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/mirror-neurons.html
ReplyDeleteI AM speculating here. I am giving ethical, philosophical and religious speculation on the science that has been already developed. I could be wrong, but I am trying to come up with a non-religious reason for ethics, so that we can have a basis for positive relationships.
Mirror neurons ARE a non-religious reason for ethics. Why are you trying to "come up" with a reason? The reason for ethics is, directly, mirror neurons. There is no underlying cause to us having mirror neurons, only speculation as to whether God or evolution is responsible.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to note that evolution CAN explain mirror neurons. (Which is exceptional simply because unlike "God did it." arguments, evolution cannot explain everything)
Our ancient ancestors had to live in tight knit groups to survive against predators and hunger, and to protect their young. Having empathy for the people in your group enabled these ancestors to survive as a group. If someone was lacking mirror neurons, ran off when a bear attacked, and was left on their own, who would they reproduce with? Who would they take turns sleeping with to watch for predators?
Mirror neurons are, to me, pure science.