23 Apr 10
Originally posted by whodeyI don't think we truly do know innately what is good or bad. We learn empathy as we grow up and that becomes innate.
What I am saying is, we can disagree about what flavor of ice cream is without innately knowing that one is favorable to the other. But why is it we innately know that not abiding by the Golden Rule is "bad"? In fact, there is no question about it. Its not an opinion like deciding what your flavor of ice cream is.
23 Apr 10
1 edit
Originally posted by PsychoPawnFor every rule there is an exception, but the exception does not disprove the rule. Of course, there is an exception to this rule as well in that there is not always an exception to every rule
[b] I suppose there are sociopaths, but I view this more of a medical disorder in the brain
So you have an excuse as to why it's not innate to sociopaths. That doesn't make it a reason to ignore the example.
Now think about that for a few hours and it will make your head explode!! 😛
23 Apr 10
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Originally posted by PsychoPawnNope. At best such a God would have to be both manevolent and benevolent, he can't be 100% manevolent if just one person on earth is happy.
I don't know. If there was a god and he was malevolent then maybe he's waiting to get to me.
Also, how do you know that I'm not suffering at the moment? I could be.
There's no reason why a god would be 100% malevolent. He could have good and bad days. He could be manic depressive. HE'S FICTIONAL so he could be the tooth fairy.
23 Apr 10
Originally posted by whodeyWhy not? He could be 100% malevolent, but just has no time to hurt everyone.
Nope. At best such a God would have to be both manevolent and benevolent, he can't be 100% manevolent if just one person on earth is happy.
Or he's just slowly ruining everyone's lives...
Of course, we're just talking about fiction so he could frankly have any property I feel like assigning to him!
23 Apr 10
Originally posted by whodeyBecause as a society we have recognized and reward empathizing with them as a superior trait.
But we recognize that one is superior to the other. Why is it that we recognize that using people is not superior to empathizing with them?
Those who show a greater level of sympathy are accepted more in social circles and hence more likely to survive.
23 Apr 10
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Originally posted by PsychoPawnTo create something and not be ultimately in conrtol of it would make him unwise as well as weak.
Why not? Why does god have to be all powerful?
So lets assess how unwise and weak he is. Is there order to the universe? If so to what extent? All of this enjoyement is unentended of course. It seems to me that there is enough order for you to enjoy yourself to a certain degree and for it to make enough sense out of it all. It seems to me that you are pretty shielded from the violent and toxic universe living on this life support system we call earth. In fact, looking at human anatomy it would appear that we are put together rather well. Why? Why not create us with continuous pain 24/7? In fact, I bet you have loved ones that you care about. I suppose he was not powerful enough to prevent them from loving you. In fact, he was such a ditz he failed to wire them to hate you. I suppose we would have to take a poll of all the happy people in the world with loved ones to assess just how weak this manevolent God is.
23 Apr 10
Originally posted by PsychoPawnBut why are those who show greater levels of sympathy accepted more in social circles? It seems to me that if we ally ourselves just for the means of survival we would do so with people who are strong and manipulative.
Because as a society we have recognized and reward empathizing with them as a superior trait.
Those who show a greater level of sympathy are accepted more in social circles and hence more likely to survive.
23 Apr 10
Originally posted by whodeyI don't see how your post justifies that god couldn't be a bumbling fool that just happened to accidentally create everything.
To create something and not be ultimately in conrtol of it would make him unwise as well as weak.
So lets assess how unwise and weak he is. Is there order to the universe? If so to what extent? All of this enjoyement is unentended of course. It seems to me that there is enough order for you to enjoy yourself to a certain degree. It seems to me that yo ...[text shortened]... ll the happy people in the world with loved ones to assess just how weak this manevolent God is.
Why not? Can you actually prove that he isn't? Of course not!
You just believe that your god is benevolent and happy and kind (except when he's murdering children) and that he must be all powerful. Think outside the box! Maybe god just farted and the universe is what came out?