Dr. Andy Thomson gives a talk on morality at the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Conference in Burbank, California. Dr. Thomson uses Francis Collins’ claim that morality is proof of God as a jumping-off point to discuss what we know about how morality works and where it came from. The conference was co-sponosored by The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, which brought in several well-known scientists to give talks. Download Quicktime (720p HD): c0116791.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com Other talks by Dr. Andy Thomson: Why We Believe in Gods: www.youtube.com “We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Brothers”: www.youtube.com Filmed & Edited by JOSH TIMONEN The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science richarddawkinsfoundation.org Atheist Alliance International http
On March 28, 2010, In Uncategorized, by admin
Dr. Andy Thomson gives a talk on morality at the Atheist Alliance International 2009 Conference in Burbank, California. Dr. Thomson uses Francis Collins’ claim that morality is proof of God as a jumping-off point to discuss what we know about how morality works and where it came from. The conference was co-sponosored by The Richard [...]
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
No you
Yeah Dawkins is funny isn’t he.
lolol
And BTW, I am most definitely an atheist and think that the moral “argument” if you want to call it that is totally juvenile. I’m a human and I accept that I can’t defeat my conscious. We can outsmart it in some ways, but I have and accept my own human biases because I couldn’t live with myself otherwise. Doesn’t make it objectively right or wrong, it is just my personal preference that is influenced by evolution.
This is what bugs me about humanists. They can’t admit that atheism whittles morality down to mere preferences. But even theism whittles morality down to God’s preferences, so I don’t know if you can say it’s an objective standard.
I think we have a common morality, but notice how the questioner presents his question as, “business people are dicks I AM RIGHT AND THEY ARE WRONG.” Just because most of us evolved to be altruistic does not mean it is an objective virtue!
God exists even if Dawkins et al don’t understand the how or why of God’s ways.
Thomson said the man was big, with a big napsack . So maybe you can put into the story that you’re a small person or something. And he is a big fatty that will be noticed, while you’ll just peal right off
Brilliant, clearly thought out and illuminating; however, I remain bothered by one scenario that remained glossed over in the train track bridge bit.
“You can’t jump.”
I would like to see the figures if that option were allowed. I am no evolutionary scientist, and no expert on morality, but I think that example is most elucidating which most nearly approximates reality.
@pfarabee: What would you consider a properly thought-out and intelligent philosophy of the source of morality?
@gypsy: poorly thought out and idiotic philosophies don’t require long rebuttals. “Ayn Rand was a moron” about sums it up.
Oh, that is such an intelligent and substantive objection to her ideas. Bravo! Dude, with that brilliant comment, you have actually made me reconsider my stance regarding her works:) Are you just an intellectually fossilized product of the progressive schooling system or just having a bad day? I’ll cut you some slack and believe that it was the latter.
@gypsy: Ayn Rand was also a moron.
Moral code cannot be derived from emergency situations because that is not the natural way of human life, it is not normative. If it were, we would all be soon dead. Ayn Rand posited a moral code based on rational self-interest derived from facts of reality. She bridged the is-ought gap (see Virtue of Selfishness).
…Morality comes from the 10 Commandments ….always has …and always will.
Ok I’ll keep tryin. Thanks again
@maddi62
Uh, not possible.
Hell, Nature just published something about the evolution of morality a few weeks ago. It is a pretty well developed field. Morality as a product of evolution has been studied for a few decades now.
many thanks. I just tried ‘scholar morality’ and it didn’t really turn up anything i havent already seen. I remain unconvinced. So far as this vid is concerned, i can tolerate Richard Dawkins’ arrogance and self-assuredness because he puts it across with such quick-witted brilliance and deliberate cheek. There is something altogether more sinister about this guy
I had to stop the video 19 minutes into. The guy was starting to get Creepy.
@maddi62
Try searching google scholar, or what ever scientific journal on the relevant field you like, for this or similar strings: evolution of morality
Yes religions breed psyco paths.
Happens to the best of us.
It’ll happen to you too, mate.
Unconvincing. Despite his repeated statement that there is overwhelming evidence (for there to be a selfish advantage in propogating moral and? altruistic behaviour) i saw little of it in this vid. Evidence that it exists, sure. Evidence that other highly evolved creatures share it to at least some extent, yes. Evidence to back up any of this guy’s explanation, no. Clearly not enough is known and more work needs to be undertaken. It is way too early in the day to be so cock sure
Moral is what you ought to do and immoral is what you ought not to do. But since we cant’ derive an ought from an is (Humes) as defining is simple is descriptive (science) not prescriptive (an ought) this is not where we can derive an ought from. If you are going to use the language of moral and immoral you would have to appeal to something metaphysical. Defining what is is not deriving an ought. And if it doesn’t exist (is) who’s to say it should be there? Thus ethical-nihilism.
waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle waffle…come on, he’s more confused than i am
It seems like a lot of theists talk about their personal relationship, feelings, etc. I wonder what a study about psychopathic tendencies would reveal amongst atheists? Anyone know if this has been done (like they did with the Fortune 500 company execs)?