The source of moral obligation

[Jeremy E Walker]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

 

[Ana the Ist]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

I don't know of any moral obligations.

Can you give a couple examples?

 

[Davian]

"Social contract theory, nearly as old as philosophy itself, is the view that persons‟ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live."

Social Contract Theory

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Evolutionary psychology, and the develompment of preferable mental states (health vs misery), which function to cause the organism to be attracted towards flourishing.

This is the source of obligations, in that obligations relate to better options morally speaking.

Thinks like social contracts are derivative.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

Are you asking a prescriptive question? I'll assume so.

These obligations and prohibitions come from an understanding of the requirements of human life. There is a reality to human well-being and to those values and virtues that are either means or constituents of that well-being. The human good is something that exists due to the nature and function of human life.

A "moral law giver" would be entirely besides the point. Why should we do what the moral law giver orders us to do? How do rewards or punishments generate oughts? A dog can respond to rewards and punishments, but is that truly a good dog from the dog's perspective, or is that simply an obedient dog that is convenient for its masters?

If we understand how to achieve our own good, which is to say to do what is in our best interests, we have a rational reason to act in certain ways and not in others. It's not simply about obeying the leader, but seeing why we should cultivate certain virtues in ourselves.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[DogmaHunter]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

The realisation that my actions have consequences and that if we are going to live together in a cooperative society, my well-being depends on your well being.

The realisation that my actions can and will have an impact on my fellow citizens and by extension society as a whole.

The realisation that the freedom to swing my arm, stops at your noes.

Now, let's turn the tables.
Where did your alledged law-giver pull his moral laws and duties from?
Is something moral because he says so? Or does he say it because it is moral?

 

[Ken-1122]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

Humans are social creatures. Moral laws are required in order to live peacefully in a society

Ken

 

[RDKirk]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

Ancient Greek philosophers derived their source of moral obligation from their own sense of reason.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

I don't know of any moral obligations.

Can you give a couple examples?

I am sorry. I should have stated that the question was addressed to those who maintain there are moral obligations and prohibitions.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I am sorry. I should have stated that the question was addressed to those who maintain there are moral obligations and prohibitions.

Whoa...don't be sorry...be happy!

You just answered your own question in one page!

If moral obligations only exist for those who think they do, then it's fairly obvious exactly where they come from.

 

[bhsmte]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

We have evolved to be social beings and that means, getting along socially enhances the chance of survival.

So, people in general, want to be accepted in society and to do so, one has to be cognizant of how their actions impact others. We also all have, a conscious, that we have to live with in regards to our actions and this conscious impacts everything we do.

 

[quatona]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

Without God there are no God-given moral prohibitions, obligations or duties.
Without agreement there are no agreement-based moral prohibitions, obligations or duties.
etc.
One might find that regrettable, but things aren´t always the way we wish them to be.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

If moral obligations only exist for those who think they do......

Is that what you think? That moral obligations only exist for those who think they do.

 

[Paradoxum]

Morality doesn't come from anywhere. It isn't an object floating in space somewhere, it's a way of thinking.

 

[True Scotsman]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

From the fundamental choice that we all face: The choice to live or not to live.

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

Ancient Greek philosophers derived their source of moral obligation from their own sense of reason.

Ancient Greek philosophers didn't have a notion of moral obligation because they didn't have a law concept of ethics. There was virtue and there was vice. Virtue was what turned you toward your telos, or your purpose; vice was that which turned you away from it. The notion of a moral law is a Christian contribution.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

Atheists, where do moral obligations and prohibitions come from if there is no moral law giver to prohibit or prescribe moral duties?

Not an atheist (no matter how some might see me)...however, my obligations to my fellow man and the world around me come from seeing and recognizing their intrinsic worth. Its that simple. I was a moral person before I became a Christian and I will continue to be one. My actions affect others...therefore I must act in such a way that my actions will have the least possible negative impact on others.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

"Social contract theory, nearly as old as philosophy itself, is the view that persons‟ moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live."

Social Contract Theory

I will speak with you on social contract theory shortly.

For now, would you say that on such a view, that which is considered obligatory or prohibited by the people in a society, is determined by those people?

 

[Davian]

I will speak with you on social contract theory shortly.

For now, would you say that on such a view, that which is considered obligatory or prohibited by the people in a society, is determined by those people?

I would not say that.

 

[Jeremy E Walker]

I would not say that.

Then who determines what is obligatory or prohibited?

You supplied this:

"persons' moral and/or political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to form the society in which they live.'"

the word "them" refers to people no?

Or maybe flying pigs?