C.S. Lewis and the Argument From Morality

[Jenny A]

Thank you Jenny for creating the thread. While it is too late now for me to formulate my responses to your points (I will hopefully have time tomorrow for this) I wanted to ask a question.

Most (not all) that hold to an atheistic worldview prescribe to the notion that this world came to be by naturalistic means and has no design, no purpose, it just is. We just happen to be here as part of a naturalistic process. So the question is this (its twofold).  What does evil really mean in a mechanistic universe?  How does one define what is evil unless you first assume what is purpose?

Good question.  I don't think there is a atheistic world view.  However, if you hold a naturalist world view, and I do, the question remains.

I do not think the world has a design or purpose.  That doesn't excuse us from creating one for ourselves.  That leads to some uncomfortable conclusions. Is there such a thing as evil is one of them.  Real answers often are often uncomfortable.  Unfortunately, uncomfortable is not the same or even likely to be the same as wrong.

Evil is a concept invented and defined by humans.  It pertains primarily to the treatment of humans by humans.  It varies by culture.  But all it really means is actions that without justification deliberately, unreasonably or unnecessarily harm humans perceived as humans or beings humans feel empathy for.   I bolded perceived because humans acting badly to other humans they have mentally dehumanized  often don't consider themselves evil though those watching from the outside still do.  Unfortunately both religion and science have been used to dehumanize others and thus restrict the definition of evil.  But religion is the more common culprit.

Flash points in the morality wars tend to center on who is really human.  Thus people of other religions, races, genders, sexual orientations, wealth, etc. have all been targets of atrocious actions by people who do not consider themselves evil.  Naturally the victims and some outsiders do consider those actions evil.

Not too long ago a Christian on this site asked if it would be evil if aliens sexually abused and then ate humans.  The interesting part of that question to me is the assumption that the aliens were sentient and could empathize with us.  I doubt anyone thinks a man eating tiger or bear is evil, at least not if they stop to think about it it rationally.  Evil comes down to hurting what you should have empathy for.  If the aliens found us as far beneath them as we find chickens it might not be evil from their perspective.  But from ours it would be dire if not evil.  But that's because we are us and not the aliens.

I find the god of the bible evil because he should, but does not have, the empathy for creatures created in his likeness he should have.