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Absolutely. I think in a sense they act as primitive superstitious heuristics. Somebody worked out that it wasn't a good idea for siblings to procreate, as the offspring, if viable, were significantly more impacted by any weaknesses in their genome. Obviously, they didn't need to understand the science behind this, just that it happened. Consequently incest became taboo/immoral. Understanding modern science, we would simply say, "If you choose to copulate with your sibling in such a way that might produce offspring, use protection."
The immorality of premarital sex makes sense in the context of a society where women were chattel. The morality of monogamy makes sense in the context of no paternity tests and dangerous abortions. And so on. Many of these 'morals' can be abandoned now, but because the masses never understood the logic that underpins them, they are incapable of determining when they should be let go. Add on to this the notion of absolute/objective morals (as prescribed by a higher being), and we have people fighting the technology and social changes that challenge those heuristics.
Perhaps it's time we abandon morals and start making informed decisions.
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[–] Reow [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Absolutely. I think in a sense they act as primitive superstitious heuristics. Somebody worked out that it wasn't a good idea for siblings to procreate, as the offspring, if viable, were significantly more impacted by any weaknesses in their genome. Obviously, they didn't need to understand the science behind this, just that it happened. Consequently incest became taboo/immoral. Understanding modern science, we would simply say, "If you choose to copulate with your sibling in such a way that might produce offspring, use protection."
The immorality of premarital sex makes sense in the context of a society where women were chattel. The morality of monogamy makes sense in the context of no paternity tests and dangerous abortions. And so on. Many of these 'morals' can be abandoned now, but because the masses never understood the logic that underpins them, they are incapable of determining when they should be let go. Add on to this the notion of absolute/objective morals (as prescribed by a higher being), and we have people fighting the technology and social changes that challenge those heuristics.
Perhaps it's time we abandon morals and start making informed decisions.