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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)
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