RE: The difference between ethical atheism and nihlism is that ethical atheists have more faith
March 3, 2013 at 9:16 am
(This post was last modified: March 3, 2013 at 9:23 am by Norfolk And Chance.)
Indeed.
I do not believe in god, neither do I believe that there is any particular reason for our existence, yet I probably value life as much as any theist.
I'd say more actually because the theist believes that this life is just a phase you go through, you die and continue in heaven. Never did work out why they have the same fight or flight responses as anyone else...surely that would be bred out of them with death being nothing to be scared of.
Although I believe there is no actual greater meaning to my life, it does not mean that I cannot comprehend how unique this experience is, and how finite. Therefore I value my life highly. Because of that I value others lives.
I think you might want to look up the meaning of "existential nihilism".
Just because you might think that there is no evidence of any meaning or point to existence itself, does NOT mean that you can't carry your own values on a human level.
Whether there is a reason for us being here or not, the fact is we are here and have to deal with that. That means co-operation, empathy with others, to protect our own interests.
I do not believe in god, neither do I believe that there is any particular reason for our existence, yet I probably value life as much as any theist.
I'd say more actually because the theist believes that this life is just a phase you go through, you die and continue in heaven. Never did work out why they have the same fight or flight responses as anyone else...surely that would be bred out of them with death being nothing to be scared of.
Although I believe there is no actual greater meaning to my life, it does not mean that I cannot comprehend how unique this experience is, and how finite. Therefore I value my life highly. Because of that I value others lives.
(March 1, 2013 at 3:16 pm)jstrodel Wrote:(March 1, 2013 at 3:05 pm)teaearlgreyhot Wrote: And if an atheist were to admit he/she is a nihilist?
What now?
That person should not vote, they should abandon all pretense of having a moral authority, they should not marry or raise a family because they will be unable to teach their children to be good people, they should not engage in any activity which requires moral reasoning, which is almost everything.
Most of all, they should never pressure anyone to accept their beliefs, because there is no ethical imperative attached to following or not following their beliefs.
Of course, most atheist who read this will acknowledge the contradiction involved in their "ethical atheism" and go on, continuing to exist that Christians have some sort of made up imperative to be "honest" according to the standard that atheists make up.
They may be able to do it legally, but they cannot be consistent with themselves. They should not do it without a deep sense of cynicism.
I think you might want to look up the meaning of "existential nihilism".
Just because you might think that there is no evidence of any meaning or point to existence itself, does NOT mean that you can't carry your own values on a human level.
Whether there is a reason for us being here or not, the fact is we are here and have to deal with that. That means co-operation, empathy with others, to protect our own interests.
You are currently experiencing a lucky and very brief window of awareness, sandwiched in between two periods of timeless and utter nothingness. So why not make the most of it, and stop wasting your life away trying to convince other people that there is something else? The reality is obvious.
