I really don't believe in right and wrong. Do other atheists?

Question

I believe morality is a real logical concept. I don't think people treat it that way. But it does not have a real effect on what happens in the universe. It is, effectively, not real. Right and wrong are ambiguous terms, at best. The terms right and wrong carry positive and negative connotation (obviously, but that's my point). The events in the universe obey the laws of physics, and there is no connotation to any of it, except to the conscious, selfish, individual. All connotation, all good and bad, happens in the head of each individual, and exists nowhere. I have heard several atheists say they know right from wrong, and that they teach it to their children, in response to a question about the 10 commandments. This seems very out of character, because they assert they can naturally tell right from wrong, then imply their children need to have it taught. I'm sure we end up with some combination of learned values and plain empathy. Anyway, what do the atheists think?

Think about it, shockwave, I don't believe in right.

thelordparadox, no. It would not be right or wrong. You would have your feelings about it. My friends and family would have theirs. Chemical feelings, then some day everyone will be dead. I do think you are being hostile because the concept frightens you.

Madformac, I am just not counting concepts as real things. A concept is a process that is happening in your mind, and it's not happening when you aren't thinking about it. It is etherial, and my point is that it is not a rule--it does not guide happenings in the universe more than any other miniscule human thought.

Answer 1

Well, it seems that part of the morality of people could be attributed to what is beneficial to the species, what will keep us going. Kind of a pack mentality. But what is beneficial for the species isn't always conducive to harmonious sharing of the planet. That's where what we teach our children comes in, how to live and function as a part of society. Morals could be seen as the grease that helps us slide through life without any major snags, like prison, being ostracized, or a painful, lonely existence.

Answer 2

taking all you said into account and being an atheist, too. I don't see why you have the need to connect right and wrong to religion.There are probably occasional occurences when the right and wrong of it is not so easy to establish, but most incidences are pretty clear without a bible to tell you so. Actually. the bible is very ambiguous on what it considers to be right and wrong. But if you use as a loose example that things that hurt other beings are probably wrong and that you would probably feel bad if you did them, that should be enough of a guideline for anyone. I think all the do's and don'ts in the bible were put there to control the populace and to force them to think as the established order at the time wanted them to. The rules have no other purpose. Having broken all of the big 10, I can honestly feel that I have done no wrong acccording to my own requirements and that is all I feel is necessary.

Answer 3

I am not an atheist, but I hope it ok if I address this issue.
I agree there is no such thing as right and wrong in the context you describe...especailly having to do with morality. It's all mixed up with cultural taboos in whatever society one happens to exist.
What makes right and wrong are the consequences of those respective actions, in regard to desired outcomes. For instance, if one desires to have a long and loving relationship with a chosen mate, then having an affair is wrong because it produces results contrary to the stated objective. If one wants to live a long and healthy life, then it is "right" to pursue whatever objectives that will accomplish that goal. So right and wrong are directly related to outcome. Running a red light is not only naughty, it can kill you, as well as a mom and dad and two little girls in the other car. People call it 'wrong'. We live in a society where we have an expectation that most people are going observe traffic laws, so we proceed through an intersection with an expectation that people will do the 'right' thing.
The ten commandments, for instance, are pretty much set up with the same idea in mind. But for other morality issues regarding what is "sin", the truth becomes more obscure...but still, the same principle applies. What good are concepts of right or wrong if there are no "universal" consequences...no real power or authority behind them...no real truth...no enforcement except for one's own ideas of morality, of right and wrong? If one violates one's own code of ethics...who cares? So I agree with you. In the end it doesn't matter who is right or who is wrong...and not a matter of truth. It only matters who has the power, as in the golden rule: "He who has the power has the gold" . With no universal truth, the guy with bigger gun is always right , and it is he who dictates what is right and what is wrong, what is truth and what is not.
So what I am saying is right and wrong, along with true and false, is directly related to the consequences, and it's the consequences that define them. Christians believe there are consequences related to their actions, enforced by a power higher than our opinions, our theology, the crime boss or the neighborhood bully. The operational term here is 'eventually', which is why people don't think it's fair. They want justice now. But 'eventually' is what faith is all about, and in the end, all that matters.

Answer 4

Well, I'm not an atheist, but... I get what you are saying. "Right" and "wrong" are terms that are completely subjective. What one person sees as "right" another sees as really really "wrong".

Our concept of right and wrong probably came first from that which was beneficial to us, and that which was harmful.

From there, as society evolved, right and wrong became more and more influenced by authority, whether that authority was religion, an emperor/dictator, or just parents.

If you think about it, the people of the world argue about what is right and what is wrong more than anything else, whether it's one country arguing with another, or a husband arguing with a wife.

An argument of religion is the discussion of right and wrong. An argument of human rights is as well. Abortion, gun control, the death penalty, foreign relations, trade, forms of govt, illegal immigrants, and the list goes on and on - when it comes down to it, they are all arguments about what is right and what is wrong.

If right and wrong were clear concepts, we wouldn't have all these conflicts. But most people, including myself, value freedom over peace, and that's why this world will never be completely peaceful.

So... no. The *ideals* of right and wrong do not exist per se, because they are relative and change from person to person and culture to culture.

Morals based on what we *perceive* to be right and wrong are necessary none the less. They help us get along with one another, they nurture relationships, they open opportunities for careers, relationships, finances, and so on...

It's not really about what's right and what's wrong - it's more like "when in Rome, do as the Romans do, or the Romans will shun you, tease you, dislike you, or put you in jail." (nothing against Romans, you understand... just using the phrase to make a point).

Answer 5

I like to see everything as a learning experience. I don't believe in sin or reward. I just think everything is for my growth as a soul. I still get caught up in the right and wrong concept. I make choices that I think are going to be the best for me. I do feel a need to guide my children. I feel a need to hold my son back from co-ed sleep overs at the age of 16. I term that as a wrong thing for him to attend. So to me wrong is saying I do not choose this for my life. I think it is wrong to take a life but again that is something I choose. Right and wrong is just about personal choice. A person in the armed services may feel it is right to take a life. Again it is a choice. I really like this question and I just wish I could have answered it better.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 6

I believe morality is relative and subjective (a good course in cultural anthroplogy will teach you this on the first day).

For my own self, I certainly have some rules of right and wrong. Some have changed in time, others have not. I'm content with my own responsibility, goals, and orders - those I think are fine, so long as they do not impede on anyone else's right to have their own morality, for their own selves, too.

So I agree with you - right and wrong cannot be logically defined. Those boundaries are not finite. Perhaps just the golden rule? Which really, just allows for everyone to have their own sense of ethics, so long as it does not impede on anyone else - the golden rule is about it for me, as an agnostic (inching more and more towards atheism every day).

To each their own.

Answer 7

Right and Wrong are subjective to perspective. For instance (I know I'm gonna get it for this one) the destruction of the Twin Towers from our perspective was an evil (wrong) thing, however from the perspective of a lot of people in middle eastern countries this was an act of aggresion against a meddlesome threat (good). Right and Wrong, good and bad are both just a question of which side of the street you are on. As far as the gentleman asking about if "he were to kill your kids", he proves the point. To him clearly this is a "good" idea, where as in your world it would be a "bad" thing. Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Right and wrong, good and evil, these are simply man made ideas that are based on belief rather than fact. Now as a society we have our norms and mores, what society in general deems acceptable or unacceptable and this is where I get a little confused. Norms and mores are not based on religion or law, in fact it is more likely the other way around, but it is not necessarily labeling something good or evil, right or wrong, just acceptable and unacceptable. Right?

Answer 9

Uh...I am no atheist, but what you wrote has a major flaw. You say right and wrong exist nowhere...then you said they exist in the minds of the people. Then, they exist!

Answer 10

I think we should attack the catholic church with an outburst of questioning on Yahoo Answers. For starters.........question them about everything until they have to go back and reread everything with a different perspective. They've got to be educated somehow.