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Question 8

Do you follow some kind of philosophy along with being an atheist?

• humanism, for the most part. though, i admit that there are times i disagree with some humanists interpretations of things. (Robert E. Charles #444)

• I practise a combination of "live and let live", and the "and it harm none, do as you will" philosophies. I do not tolerate criminal behaviour, however. (Erikc #2)

• Live and let live, do unto others(golden rule), and accept no belief systems. Any act that causes pain or mental suffering upon others is to be avoided. Being responsible for my own actions without blaming anyone else for my own mistakes and faults is very important. I try not to judge people steeped in belief systems, but I will verbally assault any who try to convert me. (zach #33)

• Golden rule, Wiccan Rede, seeking personal fulfillment, helping people, celebrating diversity... (Nicolas P. Demers #155)

• Most people wouldn't know a philosophy from a geology. We pick up bits of philosophical wisdom from our parents, friends and culture. This grab-bag of ideas usually resembles the religious ideas of the local culture (big surprise), but without the theism. Some people, who like to put some thought into their lives, will read up on religions and philosophies, taking from them whatever fits their personalities.

  I've known several Objectivist-type atheists, but most are not affiliated with any particular and identifiable philosophy, and most never give it any thought. 90% of the theists I know don't give "their" religion any thought either, and are more accurately Deists. (Dave Culp)

• Like most people, I don't follow a bunch of rules that are set in stone; I pick and choose from several sources, with some bits made up by me, trying to come up with a coherent whole that will prove useful.

  With that caveat, I suppose the largest contributor to my personal philosophy is Ayn Rand's Objectivism. (Carl Funk #1229)

• 'Do not follow codified systems of thought' would be among the primary imperatives of my philosophical outlook. Thought is to be in motion, perhaps at times it merits writing down, but it shouldn't be codified into a system which pretends to be definite or comprehensive.

  Other than that a critical form of naturalism may describe some of my approaches to certain philosophical questions, but mostly I am without answers and when I do possess them then, they are but tentative answers. So I don't think I follow some life philosophy, whatever that would mean. (DJ Nozem #1465)

• A formal philosophy? No. Not really.

  Informally, I have two. The first is to be true to myself, to recognize my weaknesses and try to improve them or at least minimize their impact on myself and others, and to develop my strengths and use them to make the world a better place.

  The second is with regard to others, and it's best embodied in the Golden Rule: treat others the way I would want to be treated. (chib)

• Situational Ethics (Michael Derousselle #1948)

• I'm a utilitarian (with certain added maxims to keep some of those horrible consequences of utilitarianism from being labelled as "good"). In other words, if it brings about a greater amount of happiness, it's good. (Alex #2007)

• Humanism is the best match (obviously, as an atheist, *Secular* Humanism).

  http://www.secularhumanism.org/intro/affirmations.html (Pat Kiewicz #1154)

• "Do unto xtians as they would have done unto you." ;0)

  Actually, something of a scientific humanist. I follow the golden rule and view life with a (scientifically) skeptical eye (or two). (Robert Templeton)

• I follow a kind of secularised version of Islam, with a lot borrowed from Buddhism. Muhammad was wrong about god, but right about a lot of other stuff... (Jeffrey L. Graham #1946)

• Yes, I'm a Buddhist. (Bian Holly)

• I think "humanism" is the best overall description of my personal philosophy. I've agreed with most humanist writings I've read, at least. :) I hold that societies, ethics, ideals, and so forth were developed by humans because, in the long run, they substantially contributed to the survival and prosperity of individuals and groups that adopted them. While various conceptualizations developed out of this process, in sum, they come down to, "we humans agree to go by these rules because it makes things better for all of us." It's actually a rather pragmatic philosophy, in that one reasons that by being a "good" person to those around you, you contribute to making a better society for everyone, and thus for yourself. The definition of "good" behavior is taken from what one understands the current consensus to be on human values. (Rosa "April" Williams #1723)