Evil Atheists

[The Grand Nudger]

Sociopath has already been defined. A person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_...y_disorder

It isn't "simply a label created in modern times". It is a clinical diagnosis given to an individual who meets the requirements. Individuals like this existed prior to any test we currently administer to determine eligibility.

Now, moral truth?

[Shell B]

Before we continue, can you define the term sociopath? This is simply a term used in psychology to describe a particular type of person, whether their bahavior is moral or not is debatable, depending upon the outcome of what you define as moral. The term "sociopath" is generally derogatory when used in the context of morality, but using derogatory labels detracts from the fact that "sociopaths" are still part of humanity and so the question of whether they are "moral" or not depends upon how "moral" is defined, it is simply a label created in modern times.

It is common knowledge that sociopaths develop deviant morals, if they have any at all. I did not use the term in a derogatory sense, but I think you know that. Now, can you please address what I said and stop wiggling around? I don't have time for dodgeball. We're talking about how you describe your morals to someone who has different morals, essentially. Though, I am afraid what you really meant was, how do you explain morals to someone who doesn't have a god telling them they must be moral?

[Cinjin]

Any luck yet convincing any members of their complete inability to act morally? Has Christianity triumphed over us ... as I'm sure your future story to the brothers-in-christ will reflect? Has your agenda been satisfied? Have you found those "answers" you were looking for?

I didn't think so.

[The Grand Nudger]

[Rayaan]

Imagine if the cricket answered all the questions raised in this thread but we just didn't understand what it said. Who knows?

[fr0d0]

Good job ignoring the trolls Stat. Some of them will get bored. Some stay attatched to your leg like terriers. You have to learn to love your play things. *calls pets*

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Sociopath has already been defined. A person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_...y_disorder

It isn't "simply a label created in modern times". It is a clinical diagnosis given to an individual who meets the requirements. Individuals like this existed prior to any test we currently administer to determine eligibility.

Although I agree in this example,I think one needs to take care with the term 'clinical diagnosis' it can actually be a tautology. It's an aphorisim in psychology that the more 'severe' patients have no insight into their condition.Hence to reject a diagnosis reinforces it.


Some of the problems with professional labeling were examined in some depth by Erving Goffman, in his two seminal works 'Stigma' and "Asylum" (still in print I think, or at least available at any good library)


Moral truth?

Is there such a thing? Subjectively, via argument from authority,of course,it's the basis of religious morality.


As an objective reality? I don't believe so: I have yet to find a single, absolute, universal imperative. I don't mean I lack a moral compass, only that I do not insist others share my values. I recognise no external moral authority, secular or transcendent. My position is that morality is pragmatic (ethical egoism) existing only because it has a survival value.That is why morality varies so much (even within our own society) depending on circumstances.

[The Grand Nudger]

Thanks for your concern there Pad. I honestly don't worry much about how any given person may twist the language I use, it's expected, even if I santized my sentences with acid they would find some way to insert their own assanine meanings into what I say. I use the words used in common discourse among human beings who have better things to do than argue over the definitions of words to avoid arguing their non-existent points. Common joe, common language.

[thesummerqueen]

http://doubtreligion.blogspot.com/2011/0...galen.html

Sick of reading through. Too busy learning to make a cambric shirt, without any seams or needlework.

Luke Galen and the Reasonable Doubts podcast are fucking awesome. You should give it a listen.

[BethK]

Sociopath has already been defined. A person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_...y_disorder

It isn't "simply a label created in modern times". It is a clinical diagnosis given to an individual who meets the requirements. Individuals like this existed prior to any test we currently administer to determine eligibility.

Now, moral truth?

It seems to me that morality imposed by religion is like a crutch of rules to follow for anyone with antisocial personality disorder who wants to function after a fashion in ordinary society. It seems a little odd though, that at least Abrahamic religions, and some others, try to dictate that morality through an obviously sociopathic ultra-powerful if not omnipotent being.

I have to wonder about religious people who say that they are moral because God tells them to be so (with these rules), and saying things like, "If we didn't have them, everyone would lie, cheat, steel, rape, murder..." What does that say about the person saying it? If God were proven to not exist for them, would they suddenly become liars, cheaters, rapists, and murderers?

Most of us refrain from antisocial acts as a combination of the general social contract: Don't lie. The fewer people who lie, the lower the chance that you will be lied to. Or Don't murder people. The fewer people who murder, the lower the chance that you will be murdered. As well as empathy, "It wouldn't be nice to lie" or "It would really make (that person) feel bad if they knew (I) were lying to them." or "It might be fun to rape (her), but it would hurt her badly." Then, there's reputation, "If they catch me lying, they'll never trust me again."

It doesn't require the introduction of a big man in the sky listening and watching, and doing nothing to stop evils, to make lying wrong.