Question for Atheists/Agnostics: Do you live your life by a set of principles?

Question

1. Do you live your life by a set of principles?
2. If so, what are the main governing principles of your life? The top three or four would probably be good enough for this discussion.
3. What is the source of those principles...meaning, did you come up with them yourself or did you read them somewhere?
4. What is the basis for those principles...what inherently, in your opinion, makes them worthy of being adopted by you?

For those who say that they live basically by the Hypocratic Oath of "do no harm"; do you believe that doing no harm also encompasses actively relieving suffering? In other words, do you believe that INaction against injustice is equally as harmful as actively harming another person?

Also, many of you detailed a list of principles that are basically the same as those promoted by Judeo-Christian religions. If you believe that those principles are indeed universal independently of religion, then what is your beef with religions that promote and even demand that they be followed? Doesn't the end result of that insistence on living by principles benefit all of humanity?

LEE B: Careful my friend...you're skating on the edge of breaking your promise, as well! I don't make every mundane Question here relate to abortion...I tend to seek out questions that I already believe have a common thread with my most passionate issue. I'll continue to do my best not to drift off into personal attacks, if you'll continue do the same! :-)

Answer 1

1. yes
2. I think my principles are very similar to those of christians. I try to live by the ten commandments (except i have modified a few of them), and just try to be an all around good person.
3. My principles do come from many years of being forced to go to church. They are just so drilled in my head they are hard to avoid. I also get them from my parents. They are very caring, helpful people and that is who i am trying to be.
4. I have adopted those principles because they make sense. if you have no good in the world, what is the point? not lying, no cheating on your husband/wife, etc. just make sense.

Im at a point in my life where i am really confused about religion, and am trying to focus more on developing myself and my future. i'm sure i will have a better answer in a few years. good question by the way.

Answer 2

1. Yes I do
2. My guiding rules are a)do as you would have done to you. b) violence is a LAST resort c) The other guy probably has a point even if you can't see it d) laugh when you can, cry when you must and above all don't hurt the kids.
3. Some of what I practice has roots in Judeo-Christian ethics, some come from observed cause and effect
4. They seem to work. People like me, I like them back.



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""Also, many of you detailed a list of principles that are basically the same as those promoted by Judeo-Christian religions. If you believe that those principles are indeed universal independently of religion, then what is your beef with religions that promote and even demand that they be followed? Doesn't the end result of that insistence on living by principles benefit all of humanity?""

**A** That's a fair point to raise. I suppose my antagonism towards organized religion is based mostly on two things...the judgemental arrogance of "true believers" and the fact that they continue to try to foist obvious myth upon the youth of this country under the various pseudo-sciences of intellingent design. I have a lot of trouble respecting self imposed ignorance, and an even harder time with their insistance that this clap-trap be taught to my kids.

Answer 3

"Do you live your life by a set of principles? "

No, it's much simpler with just a set of decision dice.
(sorry, couldn't resist)

Yes, there are principles. A complex structure, with a degree of hierarchisation.

A whole set get shipped on board during childhood, before critical thought really comes into play, And they are far from being completely consistent, ("don't tell lies," "don't sneak").
A starting point by default, and useful because they broadly represent the local rules of society. Handy for keeping out of trouble while you decide as an adult whether society's conventions should be kept or broken, and also contemplate what methodology can be used to determine this. (You are asking about me. I suspect some individuals don't get this self-reflective)

Sources considered include C S Lewis on "natural law" or "the Tao" (See URL)
Karl Jaspers on the individual and society, and Levi-Strauss on "necessary myths".

The first of these I would probably go to if I had to formally state my principles. But any system can throw up problems.
Would I lie to prevent a worse evil? Depends.
Commit violence to prevent a worse evil? Quite conceivably, but that wouldn't include terrorism for a "good cause".(animal rights bomber for example).

And I will do anything for love, but I won't do that.

Answer 4

I consider myself an Animist.
I live my life by a strict set of principles. Governing principles include treating others as I would like to be treated. Respect for other races, creeds and religions (despite my hatred of religion). The right for all living things to live and die as they choose as long as it is consensual and does not harm others or other living things unless it is of there choosing. In nature, violence and death are the norm. I believe if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Right and wrong seem black and white to me. Do people really have to be taught that murder or rape is wrong? If so, then deep down, they are born evil and deserve no better treatment. My principles are based on life experience, the teaching of my parents and the obvious evil spread by religion. You simply don't see Scientologist murdering each other for any reason. I believe that simply existing, inherently makes any principle worthy of being adopted.

Answer 5

1. Yes
2. Honesty, Integrity, Commitment to my family, Commitment to my community, Personal Achievement and many many more.
3-4. I am not a single individual living on an island, i am a part of my family, my community, my nation. I realize that it my as we as everyone else's duty to make the society work -- therefore i have a set of principles which are promulgate by the society and commonly thought to help society as whole.

Answer 6

Principles are unto each man and woman a different issue, for we have been raised in very different environments. Though I do not believe in the existence of a higher power (what you commonly call God), I do have principles. I respect others, and their opinion -whether they are male, female, black or white, muslim, christian, atheist, makes no difference to me - and even if I disagree. I try to help those that ask for my help (and those that don't but need it), and be as kind and friendly as I can.
All those words like kindness, gallantry, chivalry and respect do not have to have theological/religious value for oneself for you to be able to understand them.
Some of them have been inbuilt by my education, others I have adopted from books.
They are worth it cause relationships are based on these things, and life itself is all about controlling one's freedom and using one's resources/qualities to serve one's dreams, but without stepping on carcasses.

Did any of that make any sense?

Answer 7

I don't think you are going to have much of a life if you do not have principles. There is only one kind and most people know what they are. That's why they run away from them leaving the wonderful world we have.

Answer 8

i am strong atheist and the only principle that i have to live my life by is to work hard and avoid being the cause of any pain or suffering for anyone or anything

Answer 9

Do no harm to others. It is a principle which ensures the maximum happiness to others and promotes harmony. It has nothing to do with religion.

Answer 10

My principle is to use observation and reason to learn about the world around me and then use that knowledge to attain my own self interests.