Are atheistic morals relative?

Question

Atheists- How are moral structures determined? Most theists and rationalists would say that reason (from mind/soul/God) is the foundation for reason. But as empiricists, you are obviously non-rationalist. So what is the foundation of ethics? Feelings? How can you prove that feelings are good or bad without a wall to measure them against?

is the foundation for ethics*

Answer 1

lets see here morals. morals are instilled in us by our sense of empathy. that is, the ability to feel anothers pain or put ones self in their shoes.

i do not like being hit, therefore i will not hit another
i do not like being stolen from, therefore i will not still.
i would not like being murdered, therefore i will not murder.

many nonbelievers value life as it is our ONE and ONLY, we do not think we are going to live for eternity in a paradise. that would give us less value of this life.

Answer 2

Buddhist ethics are based on logic... there is a way to measure it but you must be honest with yourself. Basically, Buddhist ethics are about correction perception of yourself in conjuction with your existence in samsara (according to the 4 Noble Truths, etc.), correct perception about the rest of the phenomena you perceive in existence, and then you measure your actions against yourself. Or you can choose a lama to help you discern some things if you get stumped... however ethics are quite clear, covered in great depth via the Buddha's teachings. The NEAT part is that you're told HOW to cultivate better behavior if you find yourself getting all wrapped up in wrong actions, speech, etc.

So the Buddha doesn't sit around and judge, nor should we unless it's with compassion and only to be of benefit, but you do judge your own actions because you are your own best judge. People can point things out, but only YOU know your own true intent... or you can lie to yourself, which of course is just not going to get you anywhere.

The bottom line is NON-HARMING... everything else branches out from there. The Buddha teaches what conclusions he came to then tells you "go and chew this over yourself and prove it correct or incorrect" then you have your stick by which to measure your own actions.

Hope this covers at least a little bit for you.

_()_

Answer 3

All morals are relative.

Rational social interaction is not antithetical to empiricism. The variation in moral codes throughout the world is actually only along the fringes. The social contract implied by the golden rule is sufficient for a core belief: Do not do anything to someone else that you would not want done to you in similar circumstances.

The application and interpretation of this basic tenet is culturally bound, and as such, is a dynamic ethical system that allows the culture to meet its own needs in its own time. It is in that way an evolutionary meme.

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Answer 4

first of all morals are for the coolest of a society or way of life and there are worry-free morals discovered international huge and further ingredient isn't a logical one. In all societies there are regulations adverse to rape, homicide, incest and different abuses. Atheists have morals same to all and sundry else even regardless of the actuality that there is not any strict doctrine concerning a popular moral code. somewhat more desirable: Atheists have low divorce fee and between the bottom homicide fee and crime fee can any theist team make those claims.

Answer 5

You call theists rationalist, that would be a contradiction. Atheists are probably more rational and less dogmatic than religious people. Being rational, they don't need an explicitly stated benchmark for morals other than their inate understanding of right ahd wrong. They generally have the ability and knowledge of where and when to apply specific moral standards

Answer 6

The collective belief of the society
-I do not agree that we are "non-rationalist", in fact, I would argue that we are the opposite. But that is not what you are asking so I will not do so.
-Morals come from many sources: teaching, parents, collective (social) beliefs, environment, etc. They do not come from God. What has happened is that people CLAIM that morals come from God, but really they just come from people who attribute these beliefs to God. We do not need a God to come up with basic morals. For example many other cultures that worshiped other Gods had almost identical morals. Morals are what is accepted socially for the common good of humanity. We do not need a God to come up with basic rules to live by. No one needs to be told "Do not kill because God wants you to not do it". They can simply look at their social structure and realize that murder is bad for humanity.

Answer 7

1) Kurt Godel made the weakness of axiomatic systems apparent, so rationalism is dead. Besides, theistic injunctions are not followed based on reason, they are followed on faith (a sentiment), which is exactly why such "ethics" can lead to planes flying into buildings.

2) As empiricists, it becomes obvious that ethics are derived from example, not rule (although it may seem that rules can be derived from our learning sets).(1)

Answer 8

All ethics and morals are either relative or absolute. Given atheists have no absolute diety to base their against, they are by definition relative.

Mine are relative, but given I consider the absolutes that theist base theirs own to be based on a erroneous premise, relative is more than fine.

That said, most morals are evolutionarily inculcated into our species as are the morals of other mammals. Social creatures either have pure instinct or include a pattern of behaviors which support survival of the species.

Answer 9

They are defined within the culture. In some cultures certain things are beneficial for survival. They may be frowned upon in other societies. Everything is relative.

Why do you think your god gave the Jews a different set of rules for life in the desert than they had when they left the desert? Relative. Why do you think Jesus came with a different set of rules than the Old Testament? Relative.

Answer 10

Ethics evolved with us. All social mammals show two primary ethics: empathy and altruism.

Understood consciously, they boil down to the one rule of ethic every single human culture and most mammalian 'cultures' follows -- do to others what you want done to you.

The golden rule is an evolutionary trait.