Thanks so much for answering these questions!
Are you saying that the universe doesn't have a beginning? Or that the beginning that it does have, doesn't require a cause?
So based on your society, what are those values, as you best understand them? As per the example, how would you 'rank' the value of a human child? Going along with this, for another example, (when) do you believe a child is a human and has human rights, in the womb?
So you don't believe that we have free will? Don't you make choices daily? If not, then everything in our lives must be pre-determined. But who or what determines them? The only person I could even begin to perceive as pre-determining all of life, would be someone who is, always was, and always will be in existence, and created & controls it all...which would be God. If there's no free will, as you've stated, then should we even have discipline & punishment, because no one would actually be responsible for their actions.
You're saying that each individual society sets the grounds for what is morally right, what has value, and what people's moral duties are? What determines each of these societies or cultures?
What might some of those circumstances be in which you think it'd be rational to risk your life for a stranger? And to not? ...regardless of whether or not it's rational, is it morally right to risk your life for a stranger's?
Were those divides between Catholic and Anglican, or within one of them? Have you had interactions with other Christians that hasn't been, as you would say, " disgraceful"? If you've not, regardless of their specific denomination within Christianity, I'm sorry. Those people are obviously not living out their beliefs...and/or possibly don't understand the truth (or Truth) to it.
(November 29, 2012 at 2:15 pm)The_Germans_are_coming Wrote:(November 29, 2012 at 1:41 pm)phi5100 Wrote: 1. Does the universe have a beginning that requires a cause? If so, what was this cause?
No
Are you saying that the universe doesn't have a beginning? Or that the beginning that it does have, doesn't require a cause?
Quote:2. In what terms do you define the value of human life? Is the life of a human child more or less valuable, for example, than that of an endangered species of primate?
No. I dont define the value of human life. My sociaty does, which is a democratic pluralistic sociaty - I therefor stick to and defend this set of values.
So based on your society, what are those values, as you best understand them? As per the example, how would you 'rank' the value of a human child? Going along with this, for another example, (when) do you believe a child is a human and has human rights, in the womb?
Quote:3. Does your worldview ground free will - which is required for consciousness, rationality, moral judgments, moral choices, and moral responsibility?
No
So you don't believe that we have free will? Don't you make choices daily? If not, then everything in our lives must be pre-determined. But who or what determines them? The only person I could even begin to perceive as pre-determining all of life, would be someone who is, always was, and always will be in existence, and created & controls it all...which would be God. If there's no free will, as you've stated, then should we even have discipline & punishment, because no one would actually be responsible for their actions.
Quote:4. What are the grounds for (1) moral values and (2) moral duties?
see question 2
You're saying that each individual society sets the grounds for what is morally right, what has value, and what people's moral duties are? What determines each of these societies or cultures?
Quote:5. Is it rational for you to risk your life to save a stranger?
depends on the circumstances
What might some of those circumstances be in which you think it'd be rational to risk your life for a stranger? And to not? ...regardless of whether or not it's rational, is it morally right to risk your life for a stranger's?
Quote:6. Which religion, if any, were you raised in? What were the factors that led to your leaving that religion?
Catholic mother and anglican father.
Left because of the devides I observed and the disgracefull behavior of some religious.
Were those divides between Catholic and Anglican, or within one of them? Have you had interactions with other Christians that hasn't been, as you would say, " disgraceful"? If you've not, regardless of their specific denomination within Christianity, I'm sorry. Those people are obviously not living out their beliefs...and/or possibly don't understand the truth (or Truth) to it.
