Comments on: Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/ Resources for skeptical, de-converting, or former Christians...... Wed, 22 May 2013 17:20:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Christianity and the axis of immorality « Agnostic Atheism http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-209 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:56:44 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-209 [...] 29th, 2007 In a previous post “Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior,” referencing a N.Y. Times article by the same name, we began to discuss the subject of [...]

]]> By: Evolution and The Rational Animal « Holy Bananas http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-193 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:46:48 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-193 [...] The de-Convert recently mentioned a theory of evolutionary morality and the Agnostic Mom has always raved on extensively about such [...]

]]> By: honjii http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-186 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 23:46:57 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-186 What we label as ‘moral’ behavior has also been observed in many species, besides primates, living in social groups. Most normal individuals (sociopaths excepted) have an inherent concern for their fellow beings. It is one of nature’s ways of ensuring the survival of a species.

I wonder about those who think that if I/we who don’t believe in a supernatural being there is no reason to be good. It’s pretty scary to think about the havoc they would wreak should they wake up one day and discover god and the bible are as real as the tooth fairy. With the only reason to be good a thing of the past, how will they behave?

]]> By: JohnT http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-149 Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:00:43 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-149 My thoughts: Believe what you need to, but don’t condemn me for mine. Which are that a purposeful force beyond understanding guides existence

]]> By: Adam http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-147 Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:02:20 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-147 Spritual Monkey, It was published last August, so its pretty up to date. It takes a very scientific approach – it is entirely explanatory and nonjudgmental.

]]> By: David V http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-141 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:14:42 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-141 The article is very confused philosophically:

Emotions are simply a rapid, subconscious form of thinking. They stem from our explicitly and implicitly held values, and do not represent any “instinctive” sense of right or wrong.

“Morality” is a framework of principles and standards regarding proper and improper behavior. The issue of morality only arises for human beings, because for most other animals, the proper course of action is automatically determined by instinct. A set of ethical principles is neither possible nor necessary for a non-rational being.

The story equates morality with self-sacrificial behavior, or altruism. In fact, that is a particular moral theory – the other major theory being egoism. The key question in ethics is “who is the proper recipient of values?” Religious theories hold that to be a supreme being, collectivists hold it to be the society or ethnic group, altruists believe that it is anyone by you, and egoists hold it to be themselves.

To develop a proper moral philosophy, you should begin by asking – why do humans need a morality? Does something about human condition make a set of principles for our behavior necessary, or can we survive by acting on the whim of the moment?

]]> By: Spiritual Monkey http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-138 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:28:49 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-138 I never needed scientific evidence for primate morality – I’ve always considered myself rather morally superior :D

]]> By: Spiritual Monkey http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-140 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:47:20 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-140 Adam, that sounds good, when was the book written? I would like to check it out.

]]> By: Adam http://de-conversion.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-139 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:43:29 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/scientist-finds-the-beginnings-of-morality-in-primate-behavior/#comment-139 I just finished reading Moral Minds: How Nature Designed Our Universal Sense of Right and Wrong by Marc D. Houser. It’s all about these fascinating experiments in animals and tracing the development of morality.

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