2006-06-29 06:10:24 · 18 answers · asked by martin h 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I believe it was Einstein who stated that he wasn't sure that there was a God, but that the world would be a far better place if everyone behaved as if there were. I agree with this view.
2006-06-29 06:13:11 · answer #1 · answered by math_prof 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully the same way I do now. I try to live life to the fullest and enjoy each day without doing harm to others and helping others when possible. I do this not because I believe in an afterlife or a god (which I don't), but because this is the way I wish all people lived. What a great world this would be if everyone lived by two simple rules: 1. Do no harm and 2. Help others whenever possible.
2006-06-29 06:28:08 · answer #2 · answered by Charles M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We wouldn't. We are an exact reaction to the life that surrounds us. And the most important notion in this life, I think, is negative and positive. (Good and evil)
We do things because we think they're positive. Even people who pretend to be negative are just doing it because of the positive thought it gives them (they're different or better than other people for opposing them)
If we didn't know good from bad, we wouldn't move or live because nothing would be bad or good.
And if we DID know bad from good, but we didn't think there was a God or a set of gods, we would make up some, even if they weren't called God or gods.
2006-06-29 06:21:11 · answer #3 · answered by its just me!! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is easy enough to assume that there are no supernatural agencies, such as deities, nor is there any existence after death, because there is no verifiable evidence that any of these things in fact exist. As to good and evil, these are moral judgements made by people in various cultures and throughout history. One has to decide for oneself what is good and what is evil. Generally speaking, to be successful in navigating one's life through a society, your definitions can deviate only so much from the cultural norm without incurring penalties imposed by that society. In which case, you can say you're good all you want, but your society will probably punish you for behaving in a way it defines as evil. Social definitions of good and evil arise both from the weight of tradition and from community consensus.
As to how to live under these circumstances, people do it all the time. Even people who say they do not believe in good and evil make choices about their behavior. There are behaviors that even the most "amoral" people choose not to do because of their own personal taboos. In which case, violating those taboos might be considered committing evil, although the person may refuse to label it as such.
It is important to think these issues through, especially before one is confronted with a crisis that requires a decision. It is also important to think these issues through to more fully understand what you believe are the behaviors that make for good. Without self-examination, many may go their entire lives with a nagging sense of guilt as if they have not lived the way that they believed that they should.
Personally, I believe that developing the qualities of compassion, courtesy, kindness, thoughtfulness, and tolerence can make a real difference both in how one perceives the world and in how one behaves in that world.
2006-06-29 06:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Follow the Bible ... it's a real good survival guide ... Since I've spent so much time being a stubborn mule ... I've learned that the teaching of the Bible really make life easier here on Earth in my present state of being ... when I break the commandments, stuff goes bad---real bad---which is kinda proof (giving ME Faith & Hope) that there is a God who's cheering for me to live a good life and to join him in the after life.
2006-06-29 06:23:22 · answer #5 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would live my life similarly to the way I currently live. I probably would still care about my children's upbringing and keeping them away from things that aare morally wrong. I think I would still care about my health and the health of my family. But it would be very depressing not to have a purpose. The fact that there IS a God who loves us and cares for us gives me purpose.
2006-06-29 06:43:11 · answer #6 · answered by sputmonkey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assume that I have slapped you - in reality I just did not do that - I know for sure that with your assumption holding good you would not offer me your other cheek! Knowing that I would rather not slap!
Even without these concept morality would exist and most people - once they mature mentally they would follow it, of course, the problem would be the people who never grow! Perhaps, contra-assumption to your question was invented to force the morality
2006-06-29 06:30:09 · answer #7 · answered by arvind_vyas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same way I live it now. There is no afterlife.
2006-06-29 06:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same as i do now, you should always treat others as you want to be treated. I think if there was no God the world would be much more destructive and we'd all be dead already because there would be so much crime it would be awful.
that's a great Einstein statement too
2006-06-29 06:21:18 · answer #9 · answered by mistystar0003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would live my life the way I try to now, to the fullest. However, sometimes I have to slightly sensor myself and be chameleon like in certain situations or my life would be filled with dirty looks and debates. Who wants that?
2006-06-29 07:46:18 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋