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The Forum > Article Comments > Morality and the 'new atheism' > Comments

Morality and the 'new atheism' : Comments

By Benjamin O'Donnell, published 1/2/2008

The problem of morality: good deeds, it seems, really are their own reward.

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Thank you for the concise, and delightfully good-humoured examination of this problem.

Since the bulk of the arguments depend on an acceptance of Darwinian evolution, I fear that the power of your logic will be lost on those who need it most.
Posted by jpw2040, Friday, 1 February 2008 8:41:40 AM
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This sophisticated essay addresses both the scientism vs exoteric religion culture wars "debate", and it also points out why/how scientism cannot provide an enduring basis for a truly moral culture.
And why exoteric religiosity cant either.

1. http://www.dabase.org/spacetim.htm

This essay describes how we are "educated" by salt of the earth "materialists" and exoteric religionists to be incapable of True responsibility for our presence and actions in the world.

1. http://www.dabase.org/2armP1.htm#ch2

Another reason why exoteric "religion" fails to produce a truly moral person is because it reduces everyone to children via the image of the Parental Deity---"morality" is thus based on pleasing the big daddy in the sky, and/or fear of the punishment of big daddy if we are "naughty".

The doctrine of "original" sin also provides a potent means for preventing any and every one from being a truly moral presence in the world. We are thus intrinsically (morally) crippled---or so the doctrine goes.
As does the "catholic" confession.No one is thus expected to become truly moral, and NOT do that "sin" any more---just say a few hail marys.
Posted by Ho Hum, Friday, 1 February 2008 9:11:01 AM
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Not a bad effort, but you can't mention Platotic argument against the religious totality of morality and not explain Euthyphro properly. It should be compulsory reading for every citizen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthyphro
Posted by BBoy, Friday, 1 February 2008 9:17:49 AM
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jpw2040

'Since the bulk of the arguments depend on an acceptance of Darwinian evolution, I fear that the power of your logic will be lost on those who need it most.' To right. Darwinian evolution is the biggest scientific fraud of our age. It is full of holes and a load of crap!
Posted by runner, Friday, 1 February 2008 10:28:35 AM
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Moral reasoning, like any other, make propositions which develop, improve and are subject to falsification. For ardent theists to tie all moral discussion to the absolute limitations allegedly provided in a divinely revealed holy book - and expect the rest of us to follow it - is to to truncuate intelligence itself.

For a matter of course, I currently hold that people of adult reasoning are engaging in self-regarding acts of their own violition as a moral right. Further they are capable of determining between others of like capacity to engage in consensual acts. This is neither moral relativism, nor moral absolutism but rather moral universalism. It it does not concentrate on the substance of the act, but on the procedure by which it is the act occurs.

I will also take the opportunity to differentiate between moral principles and situational ethics; on occasion, moral principles can be suspended in favour of contexts where greater breaches will occur. The justification for such breaches is entirely case-by-case.

And Ho hum, must you spam every single religious discussion with those kooky links of yours?
Posted by Lev, Friday, 1 February 2008 10:29:03 AM
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morality in regard to the religion view on the enviroment is shocking. in genesis god instructs people to go forth and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over the earth and all living things.
how is this kind of thinking going to help us solve enviromental issues such as global warming and over population?
Posted by gav_gjs, Friday, 1 February 2008 10:32:17 AM
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