What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[abaris]

The question I have for atheists is how do we know what IS good?

First, this is exactly what I meant in your introduction thread when pleading to use the search function, since we had these kind of discussion ad nauseam.

Secondly, do you really need sky daddy to tell you that it's frowned upon to axe murder your neighbour to take his stuff? I'm simplifying of course, but the question in itself is simplistic. Why be good can be sanswered by humans being a social species that is much better off getting along with their peers.

The rest is upbringing. I wasn't raised as a particular religious person, but I was raised in the spirit of being a decent human being and not an arsehole. I have compassion when I see people in need, but I never think about collecting browny points with some higher power when actually helping them.