My fellow atheists, what do you consider to be the more evolved choice?

Question

To A. Follow your sense of duty and responsibility, but deny yourself a certain measure of happiness. Or B. Go with your instincts and desires, negatively affecting those close to you, but enableing you to live an authentic and more fun life.

Answer 1

I certainly think the more evolved choice would be to A. Follow your sense of duty and responsibility, but deny yourself a certain measure of happiness.

The ability to act in a selfless manner in order to benefit others is truly a more evolved state of mind.

Answer 2

I think option B with the "negatively affecting those close to you" would not enable you to "live an authentic and more fun life."

I don't see why A "Follow your sense of duty and responsibility" should automatically lead to "deny yourself a certain measure of happiness" unless you are a very immature person.

False dichotomy. For the sake of argument, I'll choose A.

Answer 3

We are subject to empathy. We usually hurt ourselves when we hurt others. There is nothing mystical or magical about why every culture, even those that developed independently, have roughly the same set of family duties and responsibilities. It is hard wired into us, best to except our impulses, than refuse them.

More highly evolved? We are what we are, evolution is not a matter of progress, but adaption.

Answer 4

I"m not sure you decided to voice this as only directed at atheist, except for the fact that you don't want any kind of spirituality inferred into your answer. So in answering as non threateningly as possible, let's explore a few things here. First of all your sense of duty and responsibilty naturally arises from the things that you care about. If you didn't care, there would be no reason to be responsible to them or have any sense of duty since to even ascribe to having duty one must put onself in a position of responsibility towards the given act. In light of that your sense of happines being grounded on whether or not you are being responsible denies the fact that your happines should be based on what really makes you happy, not on what you think you should do out some sense of duty or responsibility. Secondly, your instincts and desires stem from the authentic portion of your life and therefore are often based on the subconcious desires that you may or may not be aware of. If your decisions to do or not do something is based entirely on whether or not you are living an authentic life, then those people around you are going to understand that regardless and affirm you in making those decision that encourage your own growth. But if your instincts and desires (which stem from your authentic self) cause you do to harm to others, then either 1. you are a sick individual who needs more help than simply how to make a decision or 2. your aren't be authentic in the first place and therefore are having to compromise for something that you feel entitled too and am now aware that the consequences for you not being authentic is the fact that when you are, you lose face with those you think you care about.
So let's restructure the way things should be now: In the course of evolution, whether physical, mental or otherwise one must realize that while our past may contribute to who we are today, it does not necessarily define who we will be tomorrow. The reason for this is the fact that somewhere along the way we have to realize that in everything we do we have a choice. We realize we have a choice because we realize that we can either take responsibility for our own actions and therefore maintain the control of our lives for our own, or relinquish that control and allow others to make decisions for us and therefore take control of our lives. If we in fact choose to take control of our own lives and live the life that we really do desire, then we realize that there will be consequences for the decisions we make and some of those consequences may be such that we are forced to change our way of thinking. Because we only have one life on this planet, we shoud be choosing to live in such a way as to make the best of each day as we never know when it will end. In our puruit of being real and authentic in our daily lives, our instincts and desires begin to take shape around what it is we value, what makes life real to us. In turn, what makes life real are the things that we find a sense of duty and responsibility towards and ultimately will allow us to live a life that we see as fun fulfilling and rewarding. We can't change the fact that others will be affected by our decisions, as our lives are entirely entertwined with eachother's. To deny that is to claim foolishness. But it is only after we are able to see that our lives are inexplicably related to those around us do we become motivated to adjust our values so that our authenticity is not jeopardized simply by a set of standards that we hold too simply because we think they are the ideal. We are able to open our minds to what others see as authentic and therefore are able to broaden our own perspective while affirming others at the same time.

You ask questions that appear to be completely self motivated. The bottom line is choosing to be authentic and real while having a sense of responsibility and duty should in no way compromise your own happiness or the well being of others. Unless, your have not, up to this point, been authentic with yourself! Perhaps it was time to take a step back and consider if what you think is you being authentic, really what you want.

Speaking as someone who chooses authenticity and integrity above a good many other things, I can tell you it's no easy road, but far more rewarding a walk than the other's I've experienced. And while I have no doubt you have some sound and profound reasons why you hold so adamantly to your aetheism, perhaps it's time to open that mind of yours to a broader reality. The truth of the matter is is that life is a wonderous experience with a great many things to enjoy. But one will never be able to enjoy them if their eyes are always shut. From someone who has walked that road, the truth is a refreshing source of authenticity.

Answer 5

I think that your question makes an assumption that option B will get you a "more authentic and fun life" where option A won't.

I happen to believe that option A will lead to a more rewarding life... and more box before you die.

Answer 6

So if my calculations are correct, questions such as these re-enforce my logic that Atheist are prone to inheritantly undecisive opinions!

Therefore One contains the values of x that gets closer and closer to 0 from the right or positive direction and the other view contains the values of x that gets closer and closer to 0 from the left or negative direction whereas x = the denial of the existence of God only to lay blame directly on God.

Hmmmm, my theory was right! very interesting.

Answer 7

Neither.A true atheist has an open mind and would decide on a case to case basis.Gone are the days when we had to do one thing ,at the cost of some thing.Now we can have a judicious mix of anything and no deprivation,by adjusting our attitudes and the right kind of technology and tools.

Answer 8

What if you evolve into a Christian, Buddhism, Muslin or Jew? Stay just the way you are.

Answer 9

I would sacrafice any and everything I have to make those I care for more happy and comfortable in life.

Answer 10

There isn't a 'most evolved choice'. Make your own.