tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post8649373010848498432..comments2023-10-24T04:29:23.693-06:00Comments on Atheist Ethicist: My Holiday MessageAlonzo Fyfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-68441036610148984722009-12-27T20:10:12.554-07:002009-12-27T20:10:12.554-07:00First, a greeting to Alonzo for his blog and his i...First, a greeting to Alonzo for his blog and his ideas. They've really made me think in a wholly different way about ethics.<br /><br />Now for the sad part: JohnDoe and Adolfus.<br /><br />Adolfus is the kind of person who thinks that a critique is just any old disparaging comment. Persons of that kind are usually called "idiots", and no more needs to be said about them.<br /><br />JohnDoe, on the other hand, is not an idiot, but a reckless ignoramus. He obviously has not read the required minimum in order to engage Alonzo's arguments sensibly, so he blathers on about "the real world" and other such trite banalities.Pierohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17052662579477030895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-53549642875748400332009-12-27T16:46:55.806-07:002009-12-27T16:46:55.806-07:00That many people may not live ethicial lives does ...That many people may not live ethicial lives does not change the point that if ethics are not held to be independent of the fiat of some being then there are no such things as ethics.<br /><br />It's not as if "God" sets much of an example when it comes to not committing genocide, anyways. The Bible is replete with it.Hume's Ghosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13551684109760430351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-32902357217999842392009-12-26T13:19:20.018-07:002009-12-26T13:19:20.018-07:00"Virtue is in the eye of the beholder, when t..."Virtue is in the eye of the beholder, when there is no one true God to set the standard."<br /><br />If the individual is not capable of reasoning the merit of an ethical system, then by what criteria is he to recognize the "virtue" of the moral precepts standardized by a or any deity? Without such a capacity, the foundational precept of one's ethics becomes "might makes right."Hume's Ghosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13551684109760430351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-81007298436806940182009-12-25T07:11:35.644-07:002009-12-25T07:11:35.644-07:00I agree with John Doe.
Look, i started following y...I agree with John Doe.<br />Look, i started following your blog because i thought you free.You have proved yourself a pseudo-ethicist and a half- baked charading bigot.Adolfushttp://www.sabsastaaphai.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-79898260842695671772009-12-25T06:03:48.612-07:002009-12-25T06:03:48.612-07:00Hey, Alonzo, I am impressed!
Particularly your wi...Hey, Alonzo, I am impressed!<br /><br />Particularly your wishes. I think you hit the nail on the head with:<br /><br /> <b>MERRY EVERYDAY!</b><br /><br />I shall use it often, especially when someone extends their Christmas greeting!<br />.antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02909850387414677663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-30204231993903639832009-12-24T19:14:45.775-07:002009-12-24T19:14:45.775-07:00Alonzo,
You do such good work on this blog. We&#...Alonzo,<br /><br />You do such good work on this blog. We're fortunate to have you.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Scott M.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-14330726050866763362009-12-24T18:35:14.657-07:002009-12-24T18:35:14.657-07:00A lovely sentiment, Alonso!
BTW, May 22 is "...A lovely sentiment, Alonso!<br /><br />BTW, May 22 is "Rhinoceros Appreciation Day". <br /><br />Peace,<br />ChristianChristian Poppycockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02665585159235700510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-46708935633415120792009-12-24T18:26:17.271-07:002009-12-24T18:26:17.271-07:00John Doe
First, I hold that there are moral facts...<b>John Doe</b><br /><br />First, I hold that there are moral facts to be discovered. I am no more an arbiter of what is virtuious than I am an arbitor of the properties of H2SO4.<br /><br />Second, there are 1500 posts in this blog and several other sources where I present my theories of right and wrong - incuding a FAQ that is linked to on the left, a book you can pay for, and an online book you don't have to pay for. Among other things you will find answers to the kinds of concerns you raise in that material.Alonzo Fyfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05687777216426347054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-63237337748458366622009-12-24T13:50:48.736-07:002009-12-24T13:50:48.736-07:00Just wondering, but who made you the arbiter of wh...Just wondering, but who made you the arbiter of what is virtuous? Virtue is in the eye of the beholder, when there is no one true God to set the standard. Perhaps the dude down the street enjoys stealing from others? Perhaps to his way of thinking, ruining the planet for his own pleasure is the path towards true happiness? Perhaps for him doing what others want is a pain in the ass, and he wants nothing to do with your idiotic (to him) notion of what is virtuous. Sure, you have your standards, and they appear to me to be "virtuous", too. But what do you say to that guy who doesn't agree? <br /><br />And your definition of virtuous is kind of vague. "That which tends to fulfill the desires of others." That makes what you do dependent upon the desires of others. What if you have two people with diametrically opposing desires which can't be reconciled and which will defeat the other's purpose? (e.g., I want to buy that acre of land! NO! I want it!) Which one do you help fulfill, and which one do you ignore. Or do you help each one attempt to thwart the other?<br /><br />Merry Christmas, from your pain in the ass.John Doehttp://maaadddog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16594468.post-90429340101567042952009-12-24T08:22:26.994-07:002009-12-24T08:22:26.994-07:00Awesome message!
I always look at the holidays as...Awesome message!<br /><br />I always look at the holidays as a break point to recognize the events of the past year as well as an opportunity to focus on goals for the upcoming year. Additionally, as an atheist, the holidays provide me with an enhanced opportunity to recognize and celebrate loved ones, be they blood related or not.<br /><br />It is a time of reflection and renewal, and of celebration.<br /><br /><b>Enjoy your holidays.</b><br /><br />I love that saying. It is unassuming, and inclusive and if someone takes offense, they are just spoiling for an argument.Rexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14234383655803897848noreply@blogger.com