I came on an interesting discussion on this point
(the basis for morality)
in Bork's SLOUCHING TOWARDS GOMORRAH, which
I was reading last night.
Jim -- you may recall a debate we had a couple of years ago
over on a Compuserve forum on this issue. Your position
then was (I believe) similar to the one you took in
the debate with Russell; I have seen that position defended in
a Franky Schaefer book of a few years ago.
My own position was (and is) that morality is independent
of the Judeo-Christian presuppositions. I'm not sure
how Bork comes down on this issue -- his writing is
too hard to follow at this point (maybe I should add that
if I thought he had something worthwhile to say I'd make
more efforts!).
Bork does do well by citing contrary opinions. Here is
what caught my eye: Page 274...
"It is by no means universally conceded that morality
flows from religion. A denial that religion is essential
to morality comes from a surprising source. C. S. Lewis...wrote:
'Men say, 'How are we to act, what are we to tell our children,
now that we are no longer Christians' You see, gentlemen,
how I would answer that question. You are deceived in thinking
that the morality of your father was based on Christianity. On the
contrary, Christianity presupposed it. That morality stands exactly where
it did; its basis has not been withdrawn for, in a sense, it never
had a basis. The ultimate ethical injunctions have always been
premises, never conclusions...Unless the ethical is assumed from
the outset, no argument will bring you to it.'
Lewis seems to make morality the basis for religion rather
than the other way round."
The Lewis quotation, Bork says, is from
ON ETHICS, Ballentine Books, 1992, pp 74-75.
Cheers.
Burgy