Suppose you take a “wisdom of the crowds” approach to morality (not that you should). Well then what could be more informative than a poll telling you what actions are morally wrong and what aren’t? Enter Gallup’s recent poll…
Tip: Adultery is still wrong. Polygamy also out.
Fornication – in.
Human cloning – out.
Polygamy also out.
Doh!
Unfortunately for you, Jack, they didn’t ask about polyandry. ;)
I find these types of polls fascinating because there is such a disconnect between what is happening in society (gambling is everywhere, yet people find it morally wrong) and what people say they find morally acceptable and unacceptable. I realize that many people who find things morally unacceptable also adopt the libertarian position that it is not feasible or right to try to prevent other people from doing these things, but still…
Tom ~ Sigh. Why must everyone discriminate against my preferred lifestyle???
I can’t believe that a third of people believe it’s immoral to wear animal fur. My guess is that far more than two-thirds of the population owns at least one pair of leather shoes. Is there a moral difference? To me, this makes the whole poll suspect.
Eric,
I know many people who think wearing fur is immoral. Not because of the fur itself but because of the means in which it is obtained. There have been some videos circulated on the extreme cruelty and gruesome procedures of obtaining fur, including the skinning of animals alive.
Also, a lot of people don’t think fur and leather are the same thing. Many peole are ok with the currently regulated beef and leather production, while the market of fur is much more obscure and extreme.
The following link has images that fuel people’s idea that wearing fur is immoral. (WARNING: not for the faint of heart at all, extremely gruesome images):
http://www.peta.org/feat/ChineseFurFarms/index.asp
I don’t know if the posting of that link will make my comment go to a filter.
Once again, nothing about clowns and how the reality of clowns morphs our moral views. How different the answers might seem if folks were having to think, really think, about clowns and the clown lifestyle. Clown marriage, having more than one clown, cloning clowns, killing clowns, buying and wearing clothing made of clowns, etc. ~
Hey, Jack, I’m not discriminating. I was just hoping that maybe there was some validation in there for ya.
Let’s face it, a lot of the “morality” of wearing animal fur is tied up in social resentment toward people rich enough to purchase expensive fur coats.
As for the gruesome nature of collecting furs, I am pretty sure that watching the slaughter and gutting of cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and turkeys would not be a nice appetizer on the TVs down at Applebee’s.
In Japan, the approach to morality is different. While Buddhism has certain moral precepts, they are not widely considered when one is contemplating one’s own behavior. the main guides to behavior are group loyalty and family honor. One would avoid being a topless coffee waitress in Japan because it is declasse, not because it is immoral per se.
Let’s face it, a lot of the “morality” of wearing animal fur is tied up in social resentment toward people rich enough to purchase expensive fur coats.
if that’s true, then where’s the public condemnation of cuff links, tailored suits and Maybach 62 Zeppelins?
What we need to face is the fact that fur coats evoke about as much social status angst these days as do evening gloves and spats–in other words,not much.