Fulfillment according to "Abraham Maslow" is not a rational concept! It is like doing something for others without looking or any proofs or rewards!
2006-12-06 07:38:26 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So that means people who don't believe the irrational, can be irrational in their deeds!
2006-12-06 07:45:06 · update #1
Doesn't it prove that GOD does exist in all of us, when our mind stops analyzing and then, Life reflects through Love, Joy, and Peace?
2006-12-06 07:51:45 · update #2
in trying to prove us wrong is my guess.
2006-12-06 07:39:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 9⤋
Maslow's Heirarchy of needs (look at that - I'm a psych minor :P) isn't exactly the bee's knees of psychology these days.
Anyhoo, to ignore your red herring argument, people do things for rewards all the time. There is an established "norm of reciprocity" which basically says that if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. That's just one of the fundamentally basic reasons why people are altruistic without a belief in god. Here's another great reason: some atheists are secular humanists - that is, they respect people and their rights as people and will do anything to uphold those rights out of principle.
Why do atheists give blood? Does that question haunt you at night? I mean, they have no reason to, right? They certainly aren't being told to do it by god - why do it?
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I get my fulfilment out of personal success, and spending time with my family and firends. If I want something in life - I go after it. I don't "pray about it" and praise god when it accidentally happens. That's infinitely more fulfilling to me than a belief in god ever could be.
2006-12-06 15:45:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
So you're assuming atheists don't do things for others without looking for rewards?
You'd be incorrect, if so.
Atheists do all the same good things most religious people do. We just do it without a god telling us to. That leads one to wonder who is truly the moral one, doesn't it?
Edit - to your second "conclusion"... do you base your life on everything Abraham Maslow writes? The question you need to ask yourself is... "Does Abraham Maslow determine what the definition of fulfillment is?"
Edit - What does "god" have to do with love, joy, or peace? Have you considered the fact that these things can exist in humanity, and in other lifeforms, without believing in a bogeyman?
Seriously, consider that some time. You're on the right track. You're just stuck in the religious mindset that's been ingrained in you. Trust me, there is life after "god"...
2006-12-06 15:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Most atheists are probably fulfilled by the perception that life is going well, that it makes sense, is reasonably fair and allows one to accomplish things. The main distinction is that they are less likely than believers to postpone compensation or correction beyond a reasonable period (such as death). There are selfish atheists as well as selfish theists, but most people believe that cooperative effort and the golden rule are a preferable alternative to the endless search for personal security. The atheists just don't need the lure of a promised reward or the threat of punishment to behave or feel satisfaction.
2006-12-06 16:41:01 · answer #4 · answered by skepsis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the person. Just because Abraham Maslow gave fulfillment that definition doesn't make it right. Some athiests get fulfillment out of their job, family, life, etc, much like any other person.
2006-12-06 15:41:00 · answer #5 · answered by johngrobmyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From getting to experience each and every day. From seeing that golden glow of the early morning sun. From the ocean washing over your feet in the sand. From the smile of a small child seeing Christmas lights.
Contributing also feels much better than being neutral or taking away. Why can't it feel good just to help others and expect nothing back? What you get back is knowing you are making a difference.
2006-12-06 15:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What if I were the only human on Earth? Would I still be able to find fulfillment? Maybe the feeling we call "fulfillment" happens when we do what we are programmed to do, as organisms...love, kill, reproduce, eat, poop, rock & roll. Maybe we are told to pursue artificial things to achieve fulfillment, and that is how we are controlled. Maybe "fulfillment" is a goal, a north-star, for each person, not even something able to be reached.
2006-12-06 15:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by vehement_chemical 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibilites:
Work
Home
Family
Hobbies
Doing good deeds (yes, they can be nice people too!)
Appreciation of beauty and nature
I am not an atheist, but I recognize that they are people, just like the rest of us. They have the same joys and sorrows as the rest of humanity. God is not the only source of joy---some folks actually find it within themselves.
2006-12-06 15:44:50 · answer #8 · answered by Darlene G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do alot of things for people without looking for rewards. I try to help people and do special things for people, because I want to...not because I want something in return.
Just because I am atheist doesn't mean I don't not have a heart or compassion.
2006-12-06 15:47:44 · answer #9 · answered by Deb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do things for others because it is self-rewarding. I get my self-fulfillment by setting and then reaching attainable goals, just like everyone else. Atheism is not depressing in the least. Imagine what it is like to know you are in absolute control of you, of your situation, that no one else can see the future or control it. Wonderful.
2006-12-06 15:45:20 · answer #10 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
By being GRATEFUL for the lives we have, and trying to be good people. What makes you think that life isn't enough on its own?
Um... and why shouldn't we want to do things for others without rewards??
2006-12-06 15:46:28 · answer #11 · answered by lady_s_hazy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋