A Standard Error

In reading my favorite magazine recently I ran across a letter that backed up a belief I've had for some years. The magazine is New Scientist and its designed to enlighten without being boring. It covers all manner of information about some really cool stuff being done in the name of science today, and the letters and comments are equally thoughtful and interesting.

The letter that got me thinking was from a gent named David from London writing about a previous letter on being moral. The author agreed with all but one comment. What had been stated, according to David,  "The most important moral precepts are to avoid harming fellow humans and render aid to those in trouble", was only half right.

He says. " A survey of 132,000 people reported by psychologist Jonathan Haidt in his book The Righteous Mind shows that concerning "morals" liberals value avoiding harm and unfairness much more than conservatives do. Conservatives value loyalty, authority, and sanctity more."

Morality, politics, and religion... You may disagree with conservatives, as I do, but you will never understandthe full meaning behind the word "morality" until you understand this...

Just because we use the same word, it does not follow that we have the same meaning in mind.

Watch Jonathan Haidt: The moral roots of liberals and conservatives to see if you can step outside the moral matrix.