Society's Ethics without religion?

Question

Without recourse to religion, how can a society develope an ethical dimension, so that people can have satisfying relationships of all kinds, and yet that society may still be stable?

Through the process of Law?

Answer 1

Morality and ethics are not something handed down from On High-- although some pretend it is-- morality and ethics are socially produced. Basically, social morlaity is that which enhanches the survival of Each and All. No reference to supernatural decrees is necessary.

Answer 2

Very simply. In fact, the ethical systems of most organizations and most professions are entirely non-religious.

Ethics (and cultural morals for that matter) can be based on direct cause-and-effect analysis, using measurable harms rather than religious dogma.

For example, we have laws against false advertising, perjury, and other forms of lying when it matters. Thus, have a general ethical prohibition against lying would be a natural extension of that goal.

It's easy to build an ethical and moral system that has nothing to do with believe in divine authority. In fact, many historians argue that even most religious moral systems were man-made, based on the cultural practices and unwritten laws of the time.

Religion is a perfectly valid way to approach your understanding of the universe and our place in it. But it is no better than anything else when it comes to how people interact within a society.

Answer 3

Yes the process of law without religion can work!
I think it is the conflicting beliefs of religion that is the cause of the instability.You dont need a God to tell you Killing is wrong! Logic should tell you it is. If you have the right to kill a man that gives others the right to kill you! Society would break down! All would be chaos. If Logic was used instead of religion to determine laws it would be better!

Answer 4

First off religion, morals, and ethics are separately distinctive concepts not necessarily related. History is full of immoralities in the name of religion, and even criminals have ethics (i.e. work ethic, social ethics etc) and from my experience most atheists have what is commonly considered "good" morals.

Answer 5

i dont think reigion is the only way to have ethics in our society. lots of people have their own ethical way of living without being religious.

Answer 6

Yeah, we need religion to say 'thou shalt not kill' and 'thou shalt not diddle boys in the vestry'. Ethics of hypocritical religion.

Bowl us another tough question.

Answer 7

I'm 100% with kreevich above. the church is the last institution which should advise anyone on ethics. its the most unethical place on earth

Answer 8

how about the process of common sense?
or does no one believe in themselves enough to be able to know the difference between right and wrong?

Answer 9

I think the problem is when you organize religion, it separates us

Answer 10

with religion, we have wars and terrorist's
without religion we would have peace!