atheists: how do you decide whats worth doing/achieving in life, if death ends everything?

Question

are all your decisions arbitrary and based purely on what can [selfishly] bring you the most pleasure? ie: what is the point of any self improvement if your self is not destined to exist beyond this lifes duration?

i asked this question in a slightly provocative way to stimulate a response.
how quick you all are to jump to conclusions..!
im not a christian..nor am i a believer.
the floor is open for you to express what you think or feel about the question raised.
dont waste you time just throwing things back to the questioner!

Answer 1

wow ok i am not atheist
but
people do things for the love of others ... their children and families ..
they do things because there are laws to keep...
they do things because they have morals...
they are not selfish ... although i am sure some can be but the same can be said of the religious

Answer 2

WHY do (almost all) theists automatically assume that atheists a) do not believe in an afterlife of some kind and b) that they are motivated only by selfishness, arbitrariness and pleasure?! That is quite ignorant. While it's true that many atheists do not believe in an afterlife, many do like to think of human thought continuing on in some form after death. If thought is energy (which it is...brains without neural electrical impulses are considered "dead"), then why can't it exist outside the body? Also, there is the concept of reincarnation.

But this begs the question. As far as achievement, I think most atheists would agree that the concept of self improvement or a well-lived life is NOT dependent on "doing good deeds" to get into a heaven, but on doing them to help people or for the sense of satisfaction of improving oneself.

Self improvement SHOULD be its own reward, not some "ticket" into an afterlife/heaven! THAT is truly selfish!

Answer 3

Such an attitude would be extremely short-sighted--much like this superficial question. Our descisions are not based on what gives us the most pleasure: Often they are made by neccesity. Almost as often they are based on what can benefit ourselves and those we care about, followed by concerns for our community--just like most other people's. Self-improvement is a worthy goal because it makes life more enjoyable for ourselves and those around us. As for beyond our life's duration, we have children, we have causes, and some of us have enough talent and skill to leave behind legacies that will last long after we are gone.

Answer 4

As a former atheist (now an animist), I always found it amusing how some Christians I knew always seemed to label us as as solely "hedonist" or "pleasure-seeking," as if that's the only thing to live for outside of Christianity.

Why would it be "arbitrary" or based solely on pleasure? Do you really believe that only Chrisitans are capable of morality, of making decisions based on personal morals? Do you really think it takes Christianity to motivate oneself for self-improvement?

It doesn't. People are still capable of forming morality, and living good lives as good people. It does not take the motivations of reward/punishment to do so; tat's good for training dogs but grown-ups should be mature enough to be good for its own sake.

Answer 5

Do you think Christians have a monopoly on morality? Atheists believe in living life to the fullest because when it's done, it's done. They believe in doing good while you are here, not because you'll be rewarded, but because it's the right thing to do. I'm a Christian, and I feel sorry for you if you can't be a good person without that promise of reward or punishment.

Answer 6

I have been an atheist all my life, but I have found that it is impossible to make a decision on the basis of what will bring the most pleasure, happiness I have found is fluid and cannot be sought so simply.

Answer 7

I was going to answer this question just because it was so stupid and reflected ignorance of the obvious. It seems to have been answered just fine by other people. To act based on your concern for your own afterlife seems far more selfish than acting with sincere concern for others.

Answer 8

well im not an atheist,
but i will say, that in the end. you want to look back at your life and see what youve done with it. the difference youve made in peoples lives and the love that you givin and received
accomplishments arent about anyone else but yourself. dont yous still want to set examples for you children siblings ect?
Then when your dieing you can think.... ive had a good life and im glad the i was givin this chance to do what i could.

Answer 9

i'm an atheist and to be honest i was stumped by your question, but i still wasnt to explore the point of life. sure theres no light at the end of the tunnel for me but i'm not depressed by that and it doesn't hinder my drive for self acualization. selfishly, yeah, i want to leave a legacy, i want the best for my family and in future generations. i think it all comes down to just being happy and finding your own way to achive immortality.

Answer 10

I believe in God, but I do not believe in an afterlife. I can still bring self improvement which I feel improves my life, or others. The Founding Fathers of the US are dead, but are they not still influencing our lives?

Answer 11

I know people NEVER like to hear the following but ... here goes: Belief in an afterlife or that a deity is going to reward or punish you is the height of self-centeredness and selfishness. It's ALL about the self and what's in it for me, making sure that one's self gets to live forever in exchange for believing. A friend of mine is a devout zen buddhist who is also an atheist and his whole life is about reducing his self and ego -- not about trying to get somethnig for himself in this life or the 'hereafter'.