Abstract

This paper explores conservative morality. It documents several left-right disputes, attempting to determine if the multitude of current moral theories provide us a guideline. The disputes include same-sex marriage, children from such marriages, climate change, gun control and health care in the US, the death penalty, abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia, and islamophobia. The paper finds that the current moral theories are of no assistance. Two in particular, Kant’s deontology and virtue ethics, provide support for both sides. The paper also notes that all the current theories are western in origin. It then searches for a more universally applicable guideline, drawing in the eastern philosophies. It finds that one concept is common to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, as well as four of the western moral theories, including Mill’s Utilitarianism. It is, in the words of the present Dalai Lama: ”Our prime moral duty is to help others; at least to refrain from harming them.” Application of this theory to the current left-right disputes, in the form of a universalised “Do no harm to me; if I need help, then please give it.” finds that the moral position favours that of the small ‘l’ liberal. In addition, the paper notes that every social improvement over the centuries, (all of which meet this guideline), from the abolishment slavery to the advent of democracy, even the ending of foot binding, has been opposed by conservative thought.