2007-09-23 06:34:14 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Then he can't think because he is not.
2007-09-23 06:38:58 · answer #1 · answered by novangelis 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Morality is a product of evolution. The monkey should already know this because his kind was one of the first to have this trait.
[ Some animals are surprisingly sensitive to the plight of others. Chimpanzees, who cannot swim, have drowned in zoo moats trying to save others. Given the chance to get food by pulling a chain that would also deliver an electric shock to a companion, rhesus monkeys will starve themselves for several days.
Biologists argue that these and other social behaviors are the precursors of human morality. They further believe that if morality grew out of behavioral rules shaped by evolution, it is for biologists, not philosophers or theologians, to say what these rules are. ]
2007-09-23 06:43:19 · answer #2 · answered by ideogenetic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep! You can tell that evolving monkey of yours that he's one awfully inquisitive simeon! Most monkeys that I know can't pose any better of a question than the ol' " If a tree falls in the woods" connundrum--such amateurs--even for lower primates!
You can also tell him that we sure do have morals--and we don't base ours on fairy-tale gods, either! People--not Gods--make religions and morals! That's why it's people who do away with religions and gods when a more popular one comes along--and the old gods just sit idly by and go laa-dee-dee-daa I can't hear you! Laa-Laa-Laa-Laaa-De-Dah! instead of wreaking havoc on all of the Earth for the insult of being ousted from high heaven.
2007-09-23 06:49:52 · answer #3 · answered by starkneckid 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Was your immoral monkey playing with himself again? And just how would he know what a moral was, anyway? He's not that evolved.
2007-09-23 06:39:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Apparently, if you don't live in constant fear of an unprovable entity, then you can't have morals. People are incapable of living in peace and getting along simply because it's the right thing to do - only savages do that.
2007-09-23 06:45:01 · answer #5 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell him we're all related, and that being an atheist is no reason to become a psychopath.
If he doesn't get the drift, I suggest you pay him off with bananas.
2007-09-23 07:45:37 · answer #6 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hang on, I think I've got some rum left over from Wednesday.
2007-09-23 06:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
But you told him yes, obviously, because you realise that not everyone needs a book to tell them what's right and wrong.
2007-09-23 08:24:34 · answer #8 · answered by LifeIsAFreeTripRoundTheSun 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lets see...I don't lie, cheat, steal, try to hurt others. I have empathy towards my fellow humans and generally try and do what is best for all, as do most athiests
2007-09-23 06:41:17 · answer #9 · answered by Truthhunter 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yep. We base them on whether our actions are harmful or helpful rather than on a book of fairy tales.
2007-09-23 06:38:32 · answer #10 · answered by mattgo64 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Put down the crack-pipe, dude - Monkeys don't talk.
Wait a minute - neither do donkeys...
*puts down the crack-pipe*
2007-09-23 06:40:35 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋