Life is. Period.
What connection is there between the “meaning of life” and morals?
I’m not an Atheist, but I can certainly see why an atheist would counter the meaning of “why” in this manner. What I’d like the atheist to explain is why humans are the only form of life that “is” and able to think as well. Does thought just exist? Does self-realization come form somewhere?
Planets do orbit the sun in perfect ellipses - now THAT defies logic!
How do you know that? This universe probably contains a lot of non-human lifeforms capable of thinking, even on our very own planet. The human mind is the most complex one in this planet, but surely not the only one capable of a) thinking and b) self-awareness. I dare say, a lot of species, esp. mammals, are even capable of experiencing emotions like anger, compassion, even love.
Mostly yes, though I think some morals might come from instinct.
First prove that there are animals that are capable of thought in the same way human beings are capable of it. I deny emotions in animals and accept instinctual behavior; but even if I did accept that some animals experience emotion, there is still not connection to the level of human thoughts. How can you possibly prove that animals are self-aware? How can you prove that animals are intellectually comparable to human beings? You cannot! I agree that life has similar characteristics, but not all life is similar.
So…I should base my moral insights on my dog? You can’t possible explain morality on instinct. Hunger instinctually tells an animal to eat; instinct tells animals to avoid predators; instinct does not tell a person when and where to tell a lie. If that is the case then why is it that some people do lie and some people do not lie? How can instincts tell one person what is right and wrong and another it is completely different? This question is simply answered by the fact that we as humans are capable of seeing ourselves as different than animals - that’s right as special and superior to animals. We have free will - we DECIDE how to act, but there is still an absolute basis to our morals. There is a judgement that must take place to decide what is right or wrong.
I said the human mind is the most complex one, so we won’t find animals with the same intellectual capacities as a human. But I strongly doubt that the brains of other mammals work much differently from ours, esp those of primates.
It is not even a theory, it is just idle speculation. But with good reason.
Fair enough.
It doesn’t. It just shows, that humans are not that special as we like to think.
It matters to your wife and kids how you treat them.
??? How so? Your actions have consequences in life, regardless of any meaning.
Have you looked into the eyes of a gorilla and watched him for any length of time? If you have you would have noticed something behind those eyes. He may not be as intelligent or understand or know like humans, but there is a spark of life and one can gain a sense of companionship with such an animal.
There are natural consequences in life.
I’ll look these up and research them. I have a strong interest in science.
Let not your heart be troubled. I am a Christian. My point is that I don’t just accept things as fact. I beleive that God gives the ability to reason, discern fact from fiction and establish the truth in our own minds.
I think humans are pompous, but because a monkey can resognize itself in a mirror still doesn’t prove that humans aren’t set aside as special…
Absolutely! I understand that, but when there is “no meaning to life” then consequences are irrelevant…
We were speaking about the meaning of life and I mentioned without a meaning in life there are no consequences. Certainly there are physical consequences to actions - Newton’s Third Law of Motion hits that on the nose! I was speaking to spiritual consequences - yes in this country there are still (though fading fast) consequences to cheating on your spouse…Let’s move to a more liberal country or a country with alot of totalitarianism - do the same consequences exist? Probably not - are these physical consequences? Possibly possibly not, but regardless, my point states that without a meaning in life then there are no consequences…
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. This from the lips of Christ is not a physical description. He was giving a spiritual principle that is universal. It is a law given by God to humankind. It isn’t an American phenomenon or Russian phenomenon. Whether a person understands the principles or knows the principle doesn’t matter. It still is in effect.
Well, first, I’m not an atheist.