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I've seen so many discussions where the Christians argue that without God there can't be an absolute standard by which we define good and evil. I think that's a debatable point, but even if it is true then so what? We are completely unable to prove that an absolute standard of good and evil exists in the first place and if you are going to argue that we can identify what is good and what is evil based on what the vast majority of people believe it be then you've just set your definition as something subjective.
You are right, I am unable to prove that an absolute standand of good and evil exists. As a fun exercise, think of all of the things you accept to be true in your life right now that you are completely unable to prove? Do you know that we are unable to prove all of history? We cannot rewind the battle of Little Big horn, see the video evidence, etc, but we believe it happened. Why? Based upon evidence and not proof. We need to ask the right questions?
Is there evidence that's points to there being an absolute standard of evil? Lying, stealing, adultry, rape, murder. What are the negative consequences of continuous coveting? Someone's possessions, wife, etc? How does one feel when they are being lied to, especially when someone is trying to con them? How does one feel when their kids are abused, raped? Why do cannibals eat other humans but don't want to be eaten themselves or to have their kids eaten?
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So why do most people have similar morals? One word: empathy. Humans are social creatures and our species has spent it's entire existence living together in groups. The populations that cooperated more and fought within the group less were far more successful and likely to pass down their genes and it is undeniable that complex behaviors can be ingrained within animals and humans, not just learned. So we have this biological impulse to act in ways that benefit the group along with the intelligence and social awareness to be able to understand the consequences of our actions and how others might respond to them. Roll it up into a ball and what do you get? Morality.
Empathy is a popular go to word used these days as an attempt to justify morals by those who have a naturalistic world view. Consider all of the ways non-human critters behave that would be immoral for humans. Humans are unique creatures.
Where does it fall short and fail to define moral standards? How could empathy be evil or lead to great evil? Using empathy one may lie to their wife and kids to keep from hurting their feelings. Empathy does not define why lying and adultry are wrong, why stealing is wrong.
Pcychologist - Against Empathy
https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/1/19/14266230/empathy-morality-ethics-psychology-science-compassion-paul-bloomThis biological impluse to act in ways that benefit the group, intelligence, social awareness = morality? Do not most people have biological impluses to act in the benefit of themselves vs the group?
You are crediting this biological impulse, people acting similar to others, to empanthy when it's actually the God given conscience that each human has. Remember the greatest command? Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, AND love your neighbor as yourself. When we mistreat others, we are sinning and our conscience convicts us. We are also living under a curse and our bodies desire to live selfishless, to lust, to have pride, be envious, lift ourselves up while slandering others, not forbid ourselves any pleasure. We can get to a point where we ignore and betray our own conscience.