Comments on: An intellectually honest atheist http://philloseth.ca/2009/04/an-intellectually-honest-atheist/ enroute observations by Phil Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:53:45 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Phil L http://philloseth.ca/2009/04/an-intellectually-honest-atheist/comment-page-1/#comment-9040 Phil L Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:50:31 +0000 http://philloseth.ca/?p=746#comment-9040 Greg: I didn't get the impression that D'Sousa was calling atheists morally bankrupt, but rather was debating the source of morality. D'Souza goes on in his article to discuss what he considers two of the central principles of Western civilization: "All men are created equal" and "Human life is precious," which he says form the basis of many of our values. Nietzsche credited Christianity with those ideas. Clearly Singer rejects those principles. Obviously many (most?) atheists would disagree with Singer on this issue, but I'm not sure they have a convincing reason, apart from old Christian habits. How many post-Christian generations will those memories survive? I guess time will tell. Greg: I didn’t get the impression that D’Sousa was calling atheists morally bankrupt, but rather was debating the source of morality. D’Souza goes on in his article to discuss what he considers two of the central principles of Western civilization: “All men are created equal” and “Human life is precious,” which he says form the basis of many of our values. Nietzsche credited Christianity with those ideas. Clearly Singer rejects those principles. Obviously many (most?) atheists would disagree with Singer on this issue, but I’m not sure they have a convincing reason, apart from old Christian habits. How many post-Christian generations will those memories survive? I guess time will tell.

]]> By: Greg Reich http://philloseth.ca/2009/04/an-intellectually-honest-atheist/comment-page-1/#comment-9039 Greg Reich Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:14:02 +0000 http://philloseth.ca/?p=746#comment-9039 Dinesh D'Souza calls Singer an "intellectually honest atheist" because he's an example of what D'Souza fantasizes about regarding what the world would be like without religion, disregarding the fact that many atheists are humanists, rather than ivory tower utilitarian philosophy professors. Other atheists are cultural ethicists, objectivists, rationalists, and so forth; the philosophies differ by individual. The most honest thing to say would be that ridding the world of religion will not rid the world of conflict. I argue that uncompromising ideology combined with agression is the most major problem, and it is not exclusive to Christians, by any means. In any case, D'Souza uses Singer as an example to fit his stereotype of the morally bankrupt atheist. Of course, he quote-mines Singer's work and ignores most of what Singer has to say on moral issues. D'Souza ignores research on empathy and altruism, both of which are instinct in humans. Dinesh D’Souza calls Singer an “intellectually honest atheist” because he’s an example of what D’Souza fantasizes about regarding what the world would be like without religion, disregarding the fact that many atheists are humanists, rather than ivory tower utilitarian philosophy professors. Other atheists are cultural ethicists, objectivists, rationalists, and so forth; the philosophies differ by individual. The most honest thing to say would be that ridding the world of religion will not rid the world of conflict. I argue that uncompromising ideology combined with agression is the most major problem, and it is not exclusive to Christians, by any means. In any case, D’Souza uses Singer as an example to fit his stereotype of the morally bankrupt atheist. Of course, he quote-mines Singer’s work and ignores most of what Singer has to say on moral issues.

D’Souza ignores research on empathy and altruism, both of which are instinct in humans.

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