Can atheists tell right from wrong?

[Myles]

Is it possible for an atheist to know right from wrong?

Can you say something sensible ?

 

[Oli]

If morality is subjective, why is murder wrong?

Because society says it is.

 

[buckybeam]

Morality is whatever the majority regard as being moral.

normal vs moral ?

 

[S.A.M.]

Because society says it is.

Even a society that trains men to kill?

 

[Oli]

normal vs moral ?

Normal? :shrug:
Morality is a consensus.

 

[Oli]

Even a society that trains men to kill?

Self-justification comes in many forms.

 

[Norsefire]

Because society says it is.

That's unfair; what makes what they say "right"?

 

[buckybeam]

You don't think it's innate?
How much checking up have you done?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=morality+genetic+basis&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=altruism+genetic+basis&btnG=Search&meta=

it would be correct to say that they are born with the ability to create morals......

but they are born with none. i don't need to read some goop arguing against it. all ya have to do is have kids and watch them. they are animals. we are to help them become humans.

and that is the difference. just about everything that would be considered immoral in modern societies. would be moral/survival in the animal world.

 

[buckybeam]

Normal? :shrug:
Morality is a consensus.

the same can be said with normal. its a consensus

 

[PsychoticEpisode]

Is it possible for an atheist to know right from wrong?

What should I answer?:shrug:

 

[Oli]

the same can be said with normal.

"Can" be said?
It's the only valid definition for normal...

Is there a point?

 

[buckybeam]

could you have normal behavior that is immoral?

 

[Myles]

Has Dawkins been there with his Atheists come out campaign yet?

Your recent pre-occupation with Dawkins suggests that he has presed his button. A part of you knows that he is right but the other part of you, with a latge investment in theism, wants him to be wrong.

Get with it SAM ! There is abundant evidence to show that evolutionary theory is right. Dawkins says no more than the existence of a god is highly unlikely. Is that such a problem for you ?

 

[Oli]

That's unfair; what makes what they say "right"?

Because that's "where" everyone lives.
You're assuming right and wrong are absolutes?

it would be correct to say that they are born with the ability to be able to create morals......

No.

but they are born with none.

Wrong.

i don't need to read some goop arguing against it.

You mean you've made your mind up and you won't look at anything that supports or even indicates a contrary stance?

all ya have to do is have kids and watch them. they are animals. we are to help them become humans.

So animals have no morality?
No sense of society?

and that is the difference. just about everything that would be considered immoral in modern societies. would be moral/survival in the animal world.

How about "self-interest" being put above the good of the pack/ tribe/ herd?
Yeah, so many animals do that don't they?

Yeah, so does moral relativism.

Isn't that what this thread is about?

 

[Norsefire]

Because that's "where" everyone lives.
You're assuming right and wrong are absolutes?

So why were the Nazis wrong? After all, within THEIR OWN society, they approved of the extermination. What right do foreigners have to impose their own morality on others?

 

[Oli]

could you have normal behavior that is immoral?

I don't see how, since the one is largely dependent upon the other.
I assume by "normal" you're referring to normative?

 

[Oli]

So why were the Nazis wrong? After all, within THEIR OWN society, they approved of the extermination. What right do foreigners have to impose their own morality on others?

Right?
None, unless you consider that the world as a whole is also a form of society.
And the "imposition" came after the Nazis decided to take their view outside of their own borders...

 

[Norsefire]

Right?
None, unless you consider that the world as a whole is also a form of society.
And the "imposition" came after the Nazis decided to take their view outside of their own borders...

So, had they kept the concentration camps within their own borders, it's OK?


That's rational! Yup!


Now, we Syrians can exterminate non Semites without consequences right?


Oh, wait:bugeye:

 

[buckybeam]

Because that's "where" everyone lives.
You're assuming right and wrong are absolutes?


No.

yes


Wrong.

jeez no your wrong.


You mean you've made your mind up and you won't look at anything that supports or even indicates a contrary stance?

so 2 cannot disagree? after ten years of studying children ive come to the conclusion that they are not born with morals. and am willing to argue that point with anyone.

So animals have no morality?
No sense of society?

normal not moral


How about "self-interest" being put above the good of the pack/ tribe/ herd?
Yeah, so many animals do that don't they?

whats the concept here? im not understanding your point.

..................................

 

[Oli]

None, unless you consider that the world as a whole is also a form of society.

Which bit did you miss?