Determinist Morality of Neurophilosophy

“Into the Light” by Theresa Paden

(This was my first attempt at a Villanelle about 5 years ago.)

Right and Wrong simply will not remain still
Judgment is stripped of its power to sway
When we deny we possess a Free Will

Conscience will stiffen in cold Logic chill
Scruples will suffer disuse and decay
Right and Wrong simply will not remain still

Virtue will slip from its perch on the hill
No more will Merit substantiate pay
When we deny we possess a Free Will

Urges want no Moral tempering skill
Choice bears no Consequence, no need to pray
Right and Wrong simply will not remain still

God and Soul artifacts of the mind’s mill
Ethics will no longer stand in our way
When we deny we possess a Free Will

Wages of Sin present no further bill
Crime a dead concept, no Law to obey
Right and Wrong simply will not remain still
When we deny we possess a Free Will

11 comments on “Determinist Morality of Neurophilosophy”

Well, I tried not to get lost in the title–so I’ll just stick with WOW, you’re a dang fine poet, Paul.

LikeLike

Paul F. Lenzi on June 5, 2013 at 12:04 pm said:

it’s a mouthful, I know

LikeLike

Reply

Brilliant!

LikeLike

Paul F. Lenzi on June 6, 2013 at 9:42 am said:

grazie signora

LikeLike

Reply

Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.

LikeLike

The more I study psychology the more this question raises its head but I can’t help thinking (or hoping) that free will or not we must always retain the responsibility to understand the consequences of our actions and be accountable for them. Such a valuable and well penned poem, Paul 🙂

LikeLike

Paul F. Lenzi on March 12, 2014 at 11:28 am said:

I agree with you – thanks kindly

LikeLike

Reply

If that was your first go then I marvel even more at your poetic prowess.

LikeLike

Paul F. Lenzi on March 12, 2014 at 11:19 am said:

as you know, I normally avoid forms – they take too much psychic energuy

LikeLike

Reply

I trace my own progress through your polarities and find that I fall like a butterfly from one quadrant into the one below it, then flutter up into the opposite upper only to eventually fall into the lower; over time the pattern of my life is the butterfly’s flight within the tensions of my humanity . . . I think they call it ‘Polarity Theory’ . . . Blessings.

LikeLike