http://epps.com/pointofview philosophical/psychological positions and questions Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:50:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Given the widespread but apparently false belief that there are true, absolute moral values we would probably be better off eliminating from our vocabulary the words that imply the existence of such values – words such as ‘moral’, 'right' and 'wrong'. Such ‘moral abolitionism’ has been suggested by others ... http://epps.com/pointofview/2009/12/31/81-we-would-probably-better-off-not-using-the-word-moral/ Steven Pinker (2002) observes that an evolutionary basis for morality invites nihilism (i.e., moral nihilism -- the view that there are no objective moral truths) because of the nature of evolutionary adaptation, which happens by chance and persists because of its survival value. Pinker thinks nihilism can be avoided because ... http://epps.com/pointofview/2006/10/04/8-nihilism-cant-be-avoided/ It's known that the physiology and brains of men and women are different, and there's little doubt that there are some differences between men's and women's average characteristics and behaviors that are primarily the result of these underlying biological differences. There are also differences due mostly to the effects of ... http://epps.com/pointofview/2006/01/08/73-sex-differences/ We choose to develop interests or acquire tastes but have less control over our personality or what is most important to us. Some changes may be forced on us, or become a part of us through daily routine. We can work towards personal and social transformation and deliberately build some ... http://epps.com/pointofview/2005/08/04/72-deliberate-change/ Frustrating a biological tendency can result in (negatively experienced) frustration. This frustration may be reduced or not experienced negatively if in exchange we perceive a personal benefit, or a social benefit that returns an indirect personal benefit (e.g., general prohibitions against violence). It may be possible to further reduce or ... http://epps.com/pointofview/2005/06/12/71-there-may-be-a-cost-in-curtailing-biologically-based-tendencies/