Where do atheists get their morality from?

[downbeatplumb]

Morality starts with empathy and is normal part of higher animals brain function.

http://news.discovery.com/animals/chimps...10808.html

If you can put yourself in other peoples positions you can 'feel their suffering' and, if you are a nice person, try to lessen it.

People who do not have empathy are psychopaths who use people as things.

It is interesting to note that a psychopathic mind set is often seen by high earning capitalists.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/opinio....html?_r=1

I liked your post (and thoroughly agree with you) however, there's one small correction needed. People who lack empathy are sociopaths... but sociopaths can learn how to mock feelings and can live (relatively) successfully in society, by abiding to social norms. Psychopaths take it to the next level which (as you said) involves the abuse of others.

It had a path in it didn't it! anyhoo I was a little unsure myself about 'psychopath' a little after I posted it but laziness stayed my hand.