I’ve heard this claim before that it is not possible for atheists to have “objective moral beliefs” because many moral claims are based on religious authority, which atheists do not believe in.

Thus atheists are subjectivists when it comes to morality: each atheist may disagree with the other about what is moral. Obviously this opens atheists up to problems of disagreements, with some who might believe very conventionally “immoral” things are acceptable for them.

This is not of course to say that atheists may not choose to live lives that are some what “moral” (moral, as is often defined by religions)

So, what’s the status of the idea of “objective morality” and atheism?

  • EmmieEnglish
    2·
    5 months ago

    My moral system is based on what benefits me and thus society. The two are closely connected. Therefore if I want to navigate society with ease I try to make it easy to navigate too so someone else will feel better about making it easy to navigate for me.

    Being antisocial is not logical because it burns the branch on which I stand. It gets me in trouble, it makes trouble easier to occur for me.

    If I need to steal I will but I won’t do it just because. If I need to kill I will but I will hold out for long to seek alternative solution.

    I think adhering to society and general morals is very beneficial for us all until the pros outweigh the cons.