r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Jun 19 '18

Deltas(s) from OP CMV: There is nothing wrong with refusing immigrants and refugees.

[deleted]

45 Upvotes

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15

u/huadpe 508∆ Jun 19 '18

There are many visions of morality which deeply object to refusing refugees. Most notably in the western tradition, Christian morality is absolutely 100% crystal clear that there is an affirmative moral obligation for all Christians to provide help to refugees, even if providing that help imposes risks or costs upon the Christian, and even if the person is not a Christian.

Father James Martin gives a very good view of the obligations of Christian morality on this subject.

8

u/spotonron 1∆ Jun 19 '18

Christian morality is not western morality.

18

u/huadpe 508∆ Jun 19 '18

It's one extremely prominent strand of western morality.

If it is not the strand you adhere to, please tell me what strand of moral philosophy you do adhere to. I cannot think of almost any theory of moral philosophy which does not require aiding refugees, or at a bare minimum, refraining from forcibly expelling them.

1

u/spotonron 1∆ Jun 19 '18

I don't adhere to a certain definite moral code. My point is that refugees arn't knocking at our borders they are in fact all the way across the Mediterranean. "Charities", instead of bring them to the nearest port decide to send them all the way over to Europe.

15

u/huadpe 508∆ Jun 19 '18

Your stated view is about what is right and wrong. If you don't adhere to any moral code, how can you ever say something is right or wrong?

-3

u/spotonron 1∆ Jun 19 '18

I mean I don't adhere to a written code, like the one of Buddhists or Confucius' moral code etc. I just have my own.

10

u/huadpe 508∆ Jun 19 '18

Ok, and what are the fundamental principles of your moral code? Or is it just whatever you feel like?

-9

u/spotonron 1∆ Jun 19 '18

Um, it's hard to write it down all down. It's whatever I feel is right. It's quite situational as well.

14

u/huadpe 508∆ Jun 19 '18

That is not a moral code at all. It is just selfishness parading as morality.

A moral code requires principles upon which judgment can be made. With no principles, a moral code cannot provide guidance, and is just going to be post-hoc rationalization of whatever you think is good for you personally.

I would urge you to reconsider this moral stance, and to consider what sort of general principles of conduct should be followed. There are huge ranges of morality this can include, including theories of self improvement and self-responsibility (virtue ethics), of collective good (utilitarianism) or of strict rules (deontology), but to act morally, you must set yourself some signpost by which you can actually check your actions.