Philosophical question of the month--March

[RichardNixon]

Say you knew for certain that God didn?t exist and that there was no afterlife, would you act any differently? In what ways would you change your life or treat others?

[journey]

I wouldn't act any differently. Treating people with kindness shouldn't be to score brownie points with God, it's just the right thing to do. The world would fall apart if everyone were just out for themselves.

[RichardNixon]

I wouldn't act any differently. Treating people with kindness shouldn't be to score brownie points with God, it's just the right thing to do. The world would fall apart if everyone were just out for themselves.

Would it matter if the whole word falls apart? We are all going to die and all traces of our lives will be gone forever someday anway. What does anything matter? Why not be cruel? Is life either (1) scoring browinie points with God or (2) doing the right thing AKA being a sucker? Sounds bad either way.

[Elrothiel]

Turn every church into a rock venue with male AND female poledancers and cage-dancers.

The only rule? Rock as hard as you possibly can, and sleaze it to the max! All night long!!?

That's my heaven, and if heaven don't exist, then create your own, QUICK! BEFORE YOU DIE!!!

[Chelle]

I wouldn't act any differently. Treating people with kindness shouldn't be to score brownie points with God, it's just the right thing to do. The world would fall apart if everyone were just out for themselves.

Would it matter if the whole word falls apart? We are all going to die and all traces of out lives will be gone forever someday anway. What does anything matter. Why not be cruel? Is life either (1) scoring browinie points with God or (2) doing the right thing AKA being a sucker? Sounds bad either way.

Why the fuck would you be cruel?? ?
Doing the right thing doesn't make you a sucker... silly boy? ?

But personally? . . . I would track down Steven Tyler and proclaim my undying love? ?


 

[RichardNixon]

I wouldn't act any differently. Treating people with kindness shouldn't be to score brownie points with God, it's just the right thing to do. The world would fall apart if everyone were just out for themselves.

Would it matter if the whole word falls apart? We are all going to die and all traces of out lives will be gone forever someday anway. What does anything matter. Why not be cruel? Is life either (1) scoring browinie points with God or (2) doing the right thing AKA being a sucker? Sounds bad either way.

Why the fuck would you be cruel?? ?
Doing the right thing doesn't make you a sucker... silly boy? ?

But personally? . . . I would track down Steven Tyler and proclaim my undying love? ?


 

So you would declare your undying love for a man that you have never met. Sounds juvenile and asinine, sorry.

And why not be cruel? If there is no God, no final reward or punishment, why should people treat other people humanly? If there are no external factors binding, why not act as we want? And who?s to say what is cruel, not cruel, right or wrong? Those are all human creations, social constructions.

[Chelle]

So you would declare your undying love for a man that you have never met. Sounds juvenile and asinine, sorry.

Don't be sorry, sweetie.? I was just kidding ...?

And why not be cruel? If there is no God, no final reward or punishment, why should people treat other people humanly? If there are no external factors binding, why not act as we want? And who?s to say what is cruel, not cruel, right or wrong? Those are all human creations, social constructions.

Why would you be cruel?? Or rather, why would you try to cause someone else pain?? And I asked you first, genius.

[RichardNixon]

Why not? The question is, without God, is their a moral compass? And who's to say what is right or wrong? Who sets the standard?

[Chelle]

Why not? The question is, without God, is their a moral compass? And who's to say what is right or wrong? Who sets the standard?

No, I asked you why first, smartass! 


 

[journey]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

[RichardNixon]

And I am answering your question by (1) turning the table on your question and (2) asking your question in the context of who is the ultimate judge of morality.

1. Why be kind?
2. Why be cruel?

This is getting redundant, but I will ask again; who is to say what is right or wrong? Is it not all subjective? Without God or reward or punishment, why should we act one way or another?

[RichardNixon]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

Why are some people "happy to be nice to others"?

By "acting nice to others" Are they just not

A. Being positively reinforced with praise?
B. Being negatively reinforced by the removal of guilt?
?

[SLCPUNK]

Say you knew for certain that God didn?t exist and that there was no afterlife, would you act any differently?

No.

[journey]

1. Why be kind?
2. Why be cruel?

Is it not all subjective? Without God or reward or punishment, why should we act one way or another?

It's obviously subjective.

Take God and reward away and you're left with mortal punishment. For example, if you kill someone, that person's family might kill you or someone you love. It's an endless vicious cycle.

[Chelle]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

Why are some people "happy to be nice to others"?

By "acting nice to others" Are they just not

A. Being positively reinforced with praise?
B. Being negatively reinforced by the removal of guilt?
 ?

Hell no. ?

Personally, I feel much happier when I'm kind to others. ?Being cruel would not make me happy, whether God is around or not.

[SLCPUNK]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

Why are some people "happy to be nice to others"?

By "acting nice to others" Are they just not

A. Being positively reinforced with praise?
B. Being negatively reinforced by the removal of guilt?
 

Hell no. 

Personally, I feel much happier when I'm kind to others.  Being cruel would not make me happy, whether God is around or not.

Indeed.

It is all about intent anyway isn't it?

If you are acting kind for your own selfish reasons then you are lying to yourself as well as God (if you believe in her.)

[RichardNixon]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

Why are some people "happy to be nice to others"?

By "acting nice to others" Are they just not

A. Being positively reinforced with praise?
B. Being negatively reinforced by the removal of guilt?
?

Hell no.?

Personally, I feel much happier when I'm kind to others.? Being cruel would not make me happy, whether God is around or not.

Indeed.

It is all about intent anyway isn't it?

If you are acting kind for your own selfish reasons then you are lying to yourself as well as God (if you believe in her.)

God probably is a woman. 

[RichardNixon]

People who care set the standards. Some things you just know. And as for acting as you want, some people are happy being nice to others, rather than causing chaos all the time. Peace is bliss.

Why are some people "happy to be nice to others"?

By "acting nice to others" Are they just not

A. Being positively reinforced with praise?
B. Being negatively reinforced by the removal of guilt?
?

Hell no.?

Personally, I feel much happier when I'm kind to others.? Being cruel would not make me happy, whether God is around or not.

Indeed.

It is all about intent anyway isn't it?

If you are acting kind for your own selfish reasons then you are lying to yourself as well as God (if you believe in her.)

But how will you know for sure why you're acting the way you are?

[Chelle]

Indeed.

It is all about intent anyway isn't it?

If you are acting kind for your own selfish reasons then you are lying to yourself as well as God (if you believe in her.)

Are you saying I'm selfish?? ??

Why is everybody mean tonight?? ?

Going to sleep, before I say something else dumb ?

[RichardNixon]

1. Why be kind?
2. Why be cruel?

Is it not all subjective? Without God or reward or punishment, why should we act one way or another?

It's obviously subjective.

Take God and reward away and you're left with mortal punishment. For example, if you kill someone, that person's family might kill you or someone you love. It's an endless vicious cycle.

This makes sense. Act kind for your own benefit. Don't hurt others so you wont be hurt. A survival instinct, to pass on the genes. An innate biological basis for "morality." ?