Common consensus (i.e., "The Social Contract")?
2007-10-03 17:54:29 · 8 answers · asked by Keep On Trucking 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In short, we evolved morality in order to survive. For example, if a certain tribe thought there was nothing wrong with incest, they'd become rapidly inbred and then over-run by a competing tribe. Or, if a group of people tolerated murder, they'd die out rapidly. Social contracts and common consensus (e.g. "don't hurt others or go to prison") are a manifestation of this morality that has evolved among humans...
2007-10-03 18:09:52 · answer #1 · answered by crypto_the_unknown 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Moral actions are commited for the common good, as actions a society deems immoral are often perceived as hurting the common good i.e. murder, stealing, even homosexuality (though I don't consider this immoral, of course) etc. I can't believe the number of atheists who are incapable of answering this very simple question. Of course, some people just don't care about the common good. If god exists, why do some people have no concern for morality?
Dreamstuff Entity, great question there. Are they really moral people?
2007-10-04 01:00:09 · answer #2 · answered by Keyring 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the old "all morals come from a god, and specifically my god".
If you found out tomorrow that no gods have ever existed, would you start killing, raping and stealing? Is your belief the only thing preventing you from doing that right now?
If so, are you really a moral person?
If theists believe they are rewarded for doing good, it's only atheists who only do good because they are good, not because they believe they will be rewarded.
And let me point out that your god is not somebody I'd consider moral - sending bears to kill kids for making fun of a bald guy, murdering babies, drowning kittens...
For a more detailed explanation: http://www.abarnett.demon.co.uk/atheism/morals.html
2007-10-04 00:56:51 · answer #3 · answered by Dreamstuff Entity 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our highly evolved minds have the capacity to consider ethics and morals. Like many other animals, we have emotions.
2007-10-04 01:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by xx. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humans are a social species that functions best when we don't murder, steal, lie, or cheat our fellow members of the community or our families.
Why do you need more than that?
^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^
2007-10-04 00:58:23 · answer #5 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the moon is made of blue cheese, where are Moon Rocks coming from?
2007-10-04 00:58:23 · answer #6 · answered by bobanalyst 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is no god, so I guess it comes from within ourselves.
I really like your answer Dreamstuff
2007-10-04 01:00:19 · answer #7 · answered by Dan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
philosophy, repeated interaction in society
2007-10-04 00:56:52 · answer #8 · answered by Sheed 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋