The thing is, without God, the concept of morality is debatable. If we ultimately live in a bleak, pitiless Universe with no God(s) like the Atheists want us all too then essentially we should all just become nihilistic.
[quote] we should all just become nihilistic.[/quote]
I disagree. We [i]could[/i] just become nihilistic but the fact is that we live in a world where certain laws of cause an effect exist. Under those laws we find that life is generally preferable to death, pleasure is generally preferable to pain and flourishing is generally preferable to suffering. These values are ubiquitous and so can reasonably and reliably serve as a touchstone for moral behaviour.
@Pikachu 'Under those laws we find that life is generally preferable to death, pleasure is generally preferable to pain and flourishing is generally preferable to suffering. These values are ubiquitous and so can reasonably and reliably serve as a touchstone for moral behaviour.'
Sure, you coverered the basics of human aspirations (in the broadest strokes), but from that the whole of humanity doesnt exactly extrapolate a singular, universal moral code. So if there are are conflicting ethics, basically they all cancel each over out. And Nihilism reigns.
[quote]basically they all cancel each over out. And Nihilism reigns.[/quote]
Not necessarily. Just because all cultures might not agree on how those basic precepts are achieved doesn't mean that they are not still a basis for morality or that, that compass does not guide people along moral lines.
It seems like a false dichotomy to say that they options are either a totally homogeneous moral framework or nihilism.
@Jm31xxx To the greatest extent possible, support or enhance the lives of those animals capable of otherwise suffering.
Why would anyone need a Bronze Age book to understand that concept? For that matter, what does your god have to do with morals?
Ethical behaviour (different topic) is somewhat easier, as it operates on a person-to-person level, and carries the assurance that I will not harm you unless I first warn you.
@newjaninev2 "and carries the assurance that I will not harm you unless I first warn you.". Lol. Glad to know its ethical to harm people just so long as you give them a heads up. Thanks Erasmus
Really? Where? As I type this I can here sounds of children happily playing in the school playground, on my daily walk this morning I passed a number of people all of whom seemed happy and lively. None seemed bent on putting their shoulder to the destruction of the world.
[quote]“Nihilism is . . . not only the belief that everything deserves to perish; but one actually puts one’s shoulder to the plough; one destroys” (Will to Power).[/quote]
