2nd question for atheists and moral relativists?

Question

I appreciate the answers but I want to follow up. It seems there was a near concensus that morals are determined by the society we live in, or by how we would like to be treated, what is best for the group, common sense, or morals are situational. Some said death is bad, life is good. But what I am trying to get at is if there is no objective universal standard, then things such as rape and murder cannot be evil but only unfortunate for the one recieving it. If we are all products of amoral evolution, then there simply cannot be a such thing as wrongness or rightness. It is only strongest or weakest. But what I find interesting is that even an atheist will object loudly if someone slaps him in the face becasue he insinctively knows it is wrong, not just unfortunate. Likewise if an atheist witnesses a loved one murdered, he will object loudly and emotionally because he knows it was evil, not just unfortunate. But why does he conclude it is evil and not merely unbeneficial?

Answer 1

just cuz u dont follow a religion, doesnt mean evil isnt in ur life. evil has that has been around before religion ever stepped into the picture, so why do you think atheists are immune? no religion doesnt equal to a 'get out of evil free' pass. bad **** happens to everyone indiscriminately. athiest, agnostic, bhuddist or christian.

Answer 2

There are some clear cases where any society will draw the line:
#Any act in which an individual or group seeks to harm an individual who has done nothing against that warrants revenge (whether legal or not if socially acceptable).
#Any act which is clearly "wrong" and does not have some comparable merit (e.g. defense of self or others), but is motivated by self interest.

Throughout history, these have been broken despite the fact that these have an absolute nature. If the Bible were taken as a literal moral guide, the 13th amendment to the US Constitution would be immoral as the government "stole" men's slaves. Capital punishment would be in the form of stoning. Permanent press fabrics would be illegal. The fundamental Biblical principles for interaction in society make it clear the life and limb, property, and marriage are important. The same can be said of the Code of Hammurabi. Both are harsh by today's standards whether or not you are religious.

Of course, right and wrong are subjective. You double posted despite it being against community guidelines.

Answer 3

To feel slapped or done wrong is not a feeling reserved only to the atheist , but every one feels that way ,religious or not . But talking about murder , why is only social events called evil like rape and murder , what about the condoned murder, such us a judge giving a death sentence ... how about the soldier that is sent to war and kills dozen of people , is that all right??, how about the police that draws his gun and shots some one dead ... We the society are responsible for all this collateral deaths or murders , because we give the power to certain people to complete what we dont want to actually do .. The Judge , the soldier , the police are all our revenge hand .... what I try to explain is that .. yes all forms of murder is evil , because it hurts us , we are only humans , but which ever way death comes is only the opposite of birth , the different ways that comes ,each one has its own merits , from a simple heart attack in bed beside a loved one ,to all the way to dying in the most horrific imaginable way , it is not important how ( exept of the pain sustained in the process for some ) death occurs once one is dead , it is important for the survivor that visualises the proses and that is painful and evil.

Answer 4

What the solutions are exhibiting you is that there is a uncomplicated progression or set of degrees of spirituality which correspond to the point of ego-centeredness (the position one's personal self pastimes are seen as diverse from others and paramount; there is little, if any, knowledge and interest of the suffering of others). on the decrease rungs, human beings want societal guidelines or moral codes with can provide of advantages and punishment. The religious at this factor can't fathom doing reliable and not using a deity which will advantages them. Or, for the atheist at this factor, one deems the guidelines and moral code had to provide an environment the position one's self-pastimes (protection, happiness, etc.) are secured. As one progresses up the ladder, the self is lessened and there is further and extra knowledge that the different is an same as you. With this, there's a knowledge of what it means to conflict through and a competent want to make constructive that others do not journey this through 1's movements. As this factor receives deeper, there is no authentic want for an ethical code or set of guidelines because the perfect project is performed given one's deep interest of the circumstances and what would reason the least suffering. in this way, we've the interior maximum and maximum loving morality because it would not base itself on rigidity. human beings at this factor keep in mind that each and each and every body life needs to stay and this knowledge makes them act subsequently.

Answer 5

Well if someone I love got killed then it would be unfortunate and evil b/c it would be sad and the wrong way to solve a problem. And was ovious done for the wrong reason. There is always a reason behind ppl doing things evil and bad thing as well as kind and nice things. If ppl just did things randomly, without personal reason, they would probably be in a mental home. If someone died then I would just have to accept that, things just happens and grow from it not make excuses for why it happened, like the devil or it was their time.

Answer 6

Evolution is not amoral, it is indifferent. Our morality is based on an evolved process of genetic altruism and effects atheists just as much as theists. You seem to be looking for an external source of morality, but the paradox is; we have both. The external and abstract form of morality arises seamlessly from the evolved, internal form of morality. Any rational creature that knew that it felt wrong when someone harmed it, could not think any different about harming someone. This is why we can not seem to comprehend and defend ourselves against psychopaths.

Answer 7

There must be some universal standard of morality. There are many cultural universals, but it is difficult to identify them because they are expressed so differently within each culture. You say murder is inherently bad, and maybe I agree with you, but what is murder? Is human sacrifice in a religious ritual murder? What about infanticide to control the population? Abortion? All cultures disapprove of murder, but the actual definition of murder varies by culture.

Answer 8

Excellent question and observation. Very cool. Best question on this website that I have seen.

Answer 9

get a life