Ethics, intelligence and the progress of culture and society

Ethics, intelligence and the progress of culture and society

Cultural and social prosperity has historically been driven by science, philosophy, and art, but also by political stability and freedom. However, not every utopian idea leads to well-being. In this essay, we explore how ethics and intelligence contribute to progress, analyzing the role of morality, social incentives, and philosophical doubt in the evolution of prosperous societies. Continue reading Ethics, intelligence and the progress of culture and society

A vision about ethics and morality based on science. Some reflections.

A vision about ethics and morality based on science. Some reflections.

Sam Harris’ book The Moral Landscape argues that morality should be based on the well-being of conscious beings and that science can objectively determine which actions contribute to this well-being. Harris rejects moral relativism and claims that we already know enough about the brain and its relationship with the world to identify correct answers regarding morality. However, criticisms from philosophical objectivism argue that happiness is not the standard of morality but its consequence and that rational values are the true ethical foundation. The essay suggests that reward, rather than mere happiness, is the fundamental criterion of morality, highlighting self-esteem as the central axis of human well-being. Additionally, it discusses how morality could apply even to artificial intelligences with reward patterns, regardless of their subjective consciousness. Continue reading A vision about ethics and morality based on science. Some reflections.