Philosophy Now Forum

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 3:52 pm Humans are empathetic. It's an evolved characteristic.

Then so is violence. It could also be argued to be an "evolved characteristic."

So what, in "there are no gods," shows that Atheists have a duty to be empathetic, not violent?

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 2:37 pm 'Shared humanity' doesn't go away when you don't like someone. Neither doesn't empathy, although that's more controversial.

Tell that all the slavers, past and present.

And what can you tell them? Nuthin' really 'cept 'where's your sympathy? have you no empathy? these people are human beings!'

Only the last -- these people are human beings! -- has any weight (but not for some nebulous shared humanity reason). What grounds shared humanity for the atheist? Why should a common biology obligate one guy to refrain from enslaving another?

What does shared humanity mean if being human is just a matter of meat being arranged in a certain way?

So what, in "there are no gods," shows that Atheists have a duty to be empathetic, not violent?

The problem in this thread is that you are coming at this from the religious side:

'If you are a theist, then you must behave in certain ways that are dictated by God. '

Therefore, you keep insisting that atheists have the same sort of duty or obligation. A duty which springs from atheism.

But that's not the case.

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 3:52 pm There is no "atheists must be empathetic" argument to be made. It doesn't make any sense to ask for it.

Hence atheism offers no moral ground beyond personal or aggregated preference. Atheism offers no reason why slavery is wrong beyond 'I or we just don't like it.'

Atheism offers no reason why slavery is wrong beyond 'I or we just don't like it.'

Nothing more is required.

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:13 pm Therefore, you keep insisting that atheists have the same sort of duty or obligation. A duty which springs from atheism.

Seems to me all Mannie is sayin' is atheism cannot ground morality...atheism offers no 'should' and 'should not'.

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:18 pm

Atheism offers no reason why slavery is wrong beyond 'I or we just don't like it.'

Nothing more is required.

For a true morality, applicable to all, yeah, a damn sight more is required.

You're a deist.

You don't have any holy edict that says slavery is wrong.

Slavery is something that you don't like.

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:21 pm You're a deist.

You don't have any holy edict that says slavery is wrong.

Slavery is something that you don't like.

How about you answer my question, then I'll answer yours?

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:23 pm

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:21 pm You're a deist.

You don't have any holy edict that says slavery is wrong.

Slavery is something that you don't like.

How about you answer my question, then I'll answer yours?

I don't recall asking you a question recently.

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:25 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:23 pm

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:21 pm You're a deist.

You don't have any holy edict that says slavery is wrong.

Slavery is something that you don't like.

How about you answer my question, then I'll answer yours?

I don't recall asking you a question recently.

I've been asking it constantly. What is a moral axiom that Atheism requires of Atheists? There it is, the the plainest terms.

I've been asking it constantly. What is a moral axiom that Atheism requires of Atheists? There it is, the the plainest terms.

What question did I ask?

phyllo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 26, 2026 4:42 pm

I've been asking it constantly. What is a moral axiom that Atheism requires of Atheists? There it is, the the plainest terms.

What question did I ask?

Answer. Then I will.

Oh I see, my question is "what question did I ask?"

On a more serious note.

Atheists are supposed to have axioms about morality.

Because atheism is a religion or ideology. Rather than a straight disbelief in the existence of gods.

I hope I got that right.