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Comment #44310 by Gene Chase
This has been answered so many times. For a start off go back to the 19th century existentialists. Read some Spinoza. Read some William Blake even.
There is a biological basis to moral behaviour which we have extended with the development of civilisation. We are moral because we have one life and want to make the best of it. We are moral because we are "political animals" to quote Aristotle.
Theists seem to believe that man is corrupt and irredemable without an external influence, that without the promise of a "heaven" or the threat of an "hell" we would all go about raping, pillaging and burning. Personally, if I thought this was the case then I would probably top myself out of depression.
Permalink Thu, 24 May 2007 08:57:00 UTC | #41518