Atheism; the next step

[Shell B]

Well if all people are aware of the consequences of their actions and understand the consquences when they do something stupid then we're forced to assume that society is comprised of sociopathic sadists... i'd rather think that they're just misguided or preoccupied to consider their actions than that they're deliberately causing each other harm.

I didn't say that all people are aware of their consequences and their actions. There are an awful lot of sociopaths out there. As for people who don't do everything based on the needs of society being sadists, that's a misrepresentation of the word.

And no, people rarely put effort into their lives. They do as little as they can do to get by and anything they perceive not to give them instant gratification is ignored... this is individualism and it destroys societies.

I disagree, but neither stance can be backed up by all-encompassing research, so I think it best to let that one go.

I disagree. I've studied peoples behaviour and mentalities and the success rate of differing types for years and i've found repeatedly that people generally act in the same way (English natives and migrants anyway) albeit unconciously. Of course the individuals opinion differs based on what he's been exposed to from the media- or should I say what the individual has been conditioned by, but his actions remain constistenly similar within the group.

You said it yourself. Similar within the group. There are an awful lot of groups out there and similar is not identical.

when born we're all blank canvases at first and the picture of our lives is painted as we develop and grow up, why can't we all be masterpieces instead of flawed and uninspired doodles?

Because there is no god to make sure we're perfect. Because we are effected by genes, illness, tragedy, bad education, etc.

We're not born blank canvases. A child whose parents are schizophrenic are more likely to be schizophrenic, no matter who raises them.

I should point out that i'm not saying being an individual is bad.. but individualism i.e placing your own gratification above that of society and disregarding others is a destructive mentality that iscolates the individual from the group and makes organisation almost impossible.

Who says we absolutely have to be organized? Besides, it's natural to place one's needs over others.

So if a bunch a people jumped you and beat the shit out of you, and then you tried to defend yourself.. would you be the one at fault?

No, I fail to see the correlation. I know what you're getting at, but that's a huge leap.

My discontentment stems from people failing to fulfill their potential to be decent people and since I have to deal with these kind of people on a daily basis i've decided to try and fix them, because they're clearly broken. Am I at fault for that?

Yes, you are. You are trying to make everyone else like you. There are so many things wrong with that.

And is your own happiness your primary concern? If so, don't think that's rather selfish?

No, it isn't. However, my own happiness is more important to me than say, yours. That makes sense, right?