Objective Morals Debate (Atheists only)

[The Sum of Awe]

Do you believe in absolute good/evil? Do you believe in absolute morals?

How can you believe in absolute morals or something that is good or evil to everyone if you don't believe in an objective meaning to life?

Do you believe in an absolute meaning of life?

How can you believe in an absolute meaning to life if you don't believe in a God?

What I mean by absolute is that it applies to everything living.

 

[swamplizard]

Hi Sum,

To sum it up: Existence is good.

best,
swampy

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Hi Sum,

To sum it up: Existence is good.

best,
swampy

Hmm?

Not to everyone.

If you mean you should make it good: 1. Good is subjective. 2. Why should we?

 

[swamplizard]

Hmm?

Not to everyone.

If you mean you should make it good: 1. Good is subjective. 2. Why should we?

If it exists, it is good, notwithstanding the subjective as -
there is no alternative, only illusion; if one has the ability to judge, do so favorably.

best,
swampy

 

[Revoltingest]

Do you believe in absolute good/evil?
Do you believe in absolute morals?

No & no.

Do you believe in an absolute meaning of life?

No.

Boy...that was easy.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

No & no.


No.

Boy...that was easy.

Yay!!

 

[The Sum of Awe]

If it exists, it is good, notwithstanding the subjective as -
there is no alternative, only illusion; if one has the ability to judge, do so favorably.

best,
swampy

That wouldn't work in reality, if everyone followed that, a guy could get away with murder and the police will say "That was good"

 

[swamplizard]

That wouldn't work in reality, if everyone followed that, a guy could get away with murder and the police will say "That was good"

Hi Sum,

Perhaps it is good that the police would say it is not good.

best,
swampy

 

[Penumbra]

Do you believe in absolute good/evil? Do you believe in absolute morals?

How can you believe in absolute morals or something that is good or evil to everyone if you don't believe in an objective meaning to life?

Absolute, no. Objective, yes.

Do you believe in an absolute meaning of life?

No.

How can you believe in an absolute meaning to life if you don't believe in a God?

In what way would a god add an objective meaning in life? I don't view the two as related at all.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Absolute, no. Objective, yes.


No.


In what way would a god add an objective meaning in life? I don't view the two as related at all.

What is the difference between Objective and Absolute?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What I mean by absolute is that it applies to everything living.

If that's your measure of "absolute", then I definitely don't think that absolute morality exists.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

If that's your measure of "absolute", then I definitely don't think that absolute morality exists.

Okay, I expected people to bring 'Hitler is absolutely bad though' in the debate but guess we are all agreeing.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Okay, I expected people to bring 'Hitler is absolutely bad though' in the debate but guess we are all agreeing.

My problem is that I can't come up with any sort of moral precept that's even meaningful for every living thing, let alone true.

For instance, consider rape: I would agree that if we're dealing with a sentient creature, then rape is immoral. However, by the normal definition of rape (i.e. performing the sexual act on another party without that party's consent), bees rape flowers. Do I think that bees are immoral for pollenating flowers? No.

Or consider theft: the term "theft" only has meaning in situations where "property" has meaning. Do I think that the notion of ownership is universal to every living thing? Certainly not.

 

[Straw Dog]

Do you believe in absolute good/evil? Do you believe in absolute morals?

I don't believe in absolutes, but I do believe in universal characteristics. I have faith that the personal morality of common individuals will and does tend to share several universal characteristics since its arising out of the same human nature. There are some variations and exceptions to this, such as sociopaths, but it works for the most part among regular folk possessing the ability to empathize. It's the belief in absolute morality that makes people think they have a right to impose their personal morality onto others rather than accepting slight variations among people while focusing on the common characteristics that help people naturally get along and help one another in practice. Morality becomes confusing whenever it's overly academic and theoretical, but rather pay attention to how you actually interact with people on a regular basis.

 

[Penumbra]

What is the difference between Objective and Absolute?

Objective morality: As in, some moral systems are superior to others relative to achieving certain goals. It is still context-specific, however. Not all moral systems are equally legitimate.

Absolute morality: Generally as how you defined it- applying to everyone in all cases.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Objective morality: As in, some moral systems are superior to others relative to achieving certain goals. It is still context-specific, however. Not all moral systems are equally legitimate.

Absolute morality: Generally as how you defined it- applying to everyone in all cases.

Okay, objective morals don't make sense either since there is no objective goal of life.

 

[Penumbra]

Okay, objective morals don't make sense either since there is no objective goal of life.

There are, however, inherently more sensible goals than others.

The process of life is that life that is fit to survive often does, and that life that is unfit for survival eventually stops surviving. Morals that are unsuitable towards life, therefore are going to bring themselves to extinction.

Most people, even enemies, desire personal happiness for themselves and their allies. We're built to. Of the various moral systems, there are some that are objectively better at bringing about satisfaction and happiness to people than others.

 

[Alceste]

I don't believe in absolute or objective moral principles. What's good for the lion is bad for the gazelle.
Even if there were such a thing as objective morality or purpose, our grasp of it could never be anything but subjective. So why confuse things by placing the source of our sense of right and wrong outside our own heart and mind?

 

[9Westy9]

Not sure if I should respond as I'm not an atheist. Very tempting though xD

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Not sure if I should respond as I'm not an atheist. Very tempting though xD

Go for it

I mean *clears throat* COME AT ME BRO!