Freethought & Rationalism Archive

rubbercok3000 · 02-26-2003, 03:43 PM

Do atheists have morals and if so why? What are you guys taking to be the standard of right and wrong action? I am guessing that most of you take the relativistic philosophy on things and say that right and wrong is relative to the doer and his unique perception.

Ensign Steve · 02-26-2003, 03:54 PM

Bad guess. I don't think most people who are at the post-conventional stage of their moral development still think that morality is relative.

Personally, I subscribe to The Golden Rule. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me.

I would be a proponent of virtue ethics, except I think there are some vices I have that don't hurt anybody but myself, so I allow myself to have those vices, and in virtue eithics, vices are a no-no. But the libertarian in me thinks that as long as those vices aren't huring anybody else, then it's no biggie. That takes me back to the golden rule, by default. However, aside from a few harmless vices, I consider myself to be a pretty virtuous person (if I do say so myself), so I get a little touchy when I hear the old "atheists have no morals" spiel. I don't let it get to me though, as I know the person putting it forth probably doesn't know any better.

Hope that helps answer your question, somewhat.

Jen

Mageth · 02-26-2003, 03:58 PM

I agree with JenniferD.

Personally, I subscribe to The Golden Rule. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me.

Exactly. I would add another moral standard: "Generate as little entropy as possible."

Luiseach · 02-26-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rubbercok3000
Do atheists have morals and if so why? What are you guys taking to be the standard of right and wrong action? I am guessing that most of you take the relativistic philosophy on things and say that right and wrong is relative to the doer and his unique perception.

I've seen this question posed many, many times before...and I still don't know what to make of it.

Being moral is a simple matter of balancing individual freedom with a high standard of responsibility. It never fails.

themistocles · 02-26-2003, 06:29 PM

I'm relatively absolutist.

And we are rational beings, we can decide on standards with or without a god. As a matter of fact, the existence of god is contention, the fact we are living by agreed standards is not, or in other words, we've all been subscribing to standards regardless of whether god exists or not.

Viti · 02-26-2003, 06:47 PM

I base my morals on several things

empathy (more or less the Golden Rule)
personal liberty (I dont care what anyone else does that is not harmful to others and I despise people who try to tell others that these actions are immoral...I don't know what to label this so personal liberty it is)
Some amount of relativism

Philosoft · 02-26-2003, 07:32 PM

More suitable for MF&P, methinks...

rubbercok3000 · 02-26-2003, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Personally, I subscribe to The Golden Rule. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me.

Kinda sucks that most here base there morals on what Jesus taught!! So why not just possibly consider the fact that a good God inspired the golden rule? Hell your already prescribing to a religious ethical standpoint, why not just enjoy the fruits of your labor and call out to a deity when your alone sometimes? Whats it gonna hurt?

Philosoft · 02-26-2003, 08:40 PM

Hello? The Golden Rule was formulated by Jesus?? Can you say "revisionist history"?

Viti · 02-26-2003, 08:52 PM

rubbercok are you serious? Do we need to educate you on the history of the concept commonly referred to as the Golden Rule?

02-26-2003, 03:43 PM	#1
rubbercok3000 Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Nebraska Posts: 119	What is the moral standard of atheism? Do atheists have morals and if so why? What are you guys taking to be the standard of right and wrong action? I am guessing that most of you take the relativistic philosophy on things and say that right and wrong is relative to the doer and his unique perception.

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02-26-2003, 03:54 PM	#2
Ensign Steve Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Augusta, Georgia, United States Posts: 1,235	Bad guess. I don't think most people who are at the post-conventional stage of their moral development still think that morality is relative. Personally, I subscribe to The Golden Rule. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me. I would be a proponent of virtue ethics, except I think there are some vices I have that don't hurt anybody but myself, so I allow myself to have those vices, and in virtue eithics, vices are a no-no. But the libertarian in me thinks that as long as those vices aren't huring anybody else, then it's no biggie. That takes me back to the golden rule, by default. However, aside from a few harmless vices, I consider myself to be a pretty virtuous person (if I do say so myself), so I get a little touchy when I hear the old "atheists have no morals" spiel. I don't let it get to me though, as I know the person putting it forth probably doesn't know any better. Hope that helps answer your question, somewhat. Jen

02-26-2003, 03:58 PM	#3
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	I agree with JenniferD. Personally, I subscribe to The Golden Rule. I do unto others as I would have them do unto me. Exactly. I would add another moral standard: "Generate as little entropy as possible."

02-26-2003, 06:29 PM	#5
themistocles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: las vegas, nevada Posts: 670	I'm relatively absolutist. And we are rational beings, we can decide on standards with or without a god. As a matter of fact, the existence of god is contention, the fact we are living by agreed standards is not, or in other words, we've all been subscribing to standards regardless of whether god exists or not.

02-26-2003, 06:47 PM	#6
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	I base my morals on several things empathy (more or less the Golden Rule) personal liberty (I dont care what anyone else does that is not harmful to others and I despise people who try to tell others that these actions are immoral...I don't know what to label this so personal liberty it is) Some amount of relativism

02-26-2003, 07:32 PM	#7
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	More suitable for MF&P, methinks...

02-26-2003, 08:40 PM	#9
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	Hello? The Golden Rule was formulated by Jesus?? Can you say "revisionist history"?

02-26-2003, 08:52 PM	#10
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	rubbercok are you serious? Do we need to educate you on the history of the concept commonly referred to as the Golden Rule?

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