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Some thoughts... fionwe1987 Send a noteboard - 25/07/2011 04:54:05 AM

The true atheist is essentially denying that the universe has meaning.

How so? Denying the existence of a higher order that arbitrates the actions of man doesn't mean denying the absence of meaning in those actions.

By extension, any decision that any individual makes is completely arbitrary. Let's say you get one million people together and every single one says that murder is wrong. It's still arbitrary because the universe has no meaning.

But what does this have to do with morality? An arbitrary rule is still a rule, and a rule that has the backing of an overwhelming majority of those it will apply to can be enforced on just that basis.

I don't think a reasonable claim can be made that morality can exist only if people believe in a "deeper meaning". There is, in fact, some research showing exactly the opposite, that the spread of atheism or agnosticism is positively correlated with greater morality in an open and free society:

http://www.blackwell-compass.com/subject/sociology/article_view?article_id=soco_articles_bpl247

I don't think this is conclusive by any means, but it certainly points in a direction that is opposite to "Morality stems from God".
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A Dance with Dragons discussion thread Legolas - 11/07/2011 10:48:23 PM 6254 Views
Okay, first impressions. Basically spoiler-free, I suppose. ironclad - 11/07/2011 11:40:31 PM 1796 Views
I have it! *NM* fionwe1987 - 12/07/2011 05:42:27 AM 974 Views
A general question to get the discussion started: will two more books be enough? RandAllThor - 12/07/2011 02:22:52 PM 2005 Views
A very good question *major spoilers, then* ironclad - 12/07/2011 02:55:05 PM 1984 Views
Oh, come on. If anyone can do it, Martin can. Tom - 15/07/2011 03:48:27 AM 1673 Views
It'll be tight. Werthead - 12/07/2011 04:32:39 PM 1978 Views
What does "resurrection-as-PWWP Jon" mean? Got it - Prince Who Was Promised! Sir Tybalt - 18/08/2011 08:59:44 PM 1874 Views
No but I think 3 will be possible Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:15:02 AM 1804 Views
what is Purple Wedding? *NM* aragornital - 27/07/2011 08:37:04 AM 861 Views
Joffrey and Margaery wedding Roland00 - 27/07/2011 04:26:04 PM 1835 Views
Hero of the book? Werthead - 12/07/2011 10:12:02 PM 2112 Views
Lord Manderly gets my vote. RandAllThor - 12/07/2011 10:41:19 PM 1924 Views
Re: Hero of the book? ironclad - 12/07/2011 10:43:20 PM 1800 Views
Re: Hero of the book? ClubCaved - 12/07/2011 11:50:29 PM 1796 Views
Ohh, so that was what that was about. Legolas - 17/07/2011 07:08:19 PM 1818 Views
That's what I thought too. Jessie - 25/07/2011 01:48:50 AM 1838 Views
Victorian Greyjoy = Hero of the book *NM* Urza - 21/07/2011 06:20:25 AM 1017 Views
Barristan should be renamed as Ser Grandfather, you do not mess with Ser Grandfather *NM* Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:32:09 AM 1019 Views
Asshole of the book? ironclad - 12/07/2011 10:46:10 PM 1993 Views
Agreed. Werthead - 12/07/2011 11:18:07 PM 1941 Views
Seconded. He'd probably make my short list of Assholes of the Series to date. *NM* RandAllThor - 12/07/2011 11:25:04 PM 914 Views
Yeah, little doubt there. Legolas - 17/07/2011 07:09:53 PM 1785 Views
Seriously... Urza - 18/07/2011 03:07:47 AM 1754 Views
Daenerys Targaryen & lifetime achievement award to Lord Rickard Stark Cannoli - 17/08/2011 12:38:40 AM 1699 Views
Idiot of the book. Werthead - 12/07/2011 11:21:51 PM 2039 Views
lol yep, definitely *NM* ironclad - 13/07/2011 08:12:42 AM 961 Views
Re: Idiot of the book. Zaphod - 17/07/2011 12:42:20 AM 1875 Views
I think readers are being too hard on Quentyn, If anything I think Doran derserves more mocking. Libby - 17/07/2011 01:09:35 AM 2207 Views
Wait... no she doesn't! fionwe1987 - 17/07/2011 01:29:52 AM 1802 Views
She thinks both Werthead - 18/07/2011 12:22:59 AM 1720 Views
So... Legolas - 17/07/2011 07:18:24 PM 1755 Views
No, it's him. Werthead - 18/07/2011 12:25:33 AM 1744 Views
Is there any hot sex scenes? I won't be able to read it for a while *NM* Dark Knight - 13/07/2011 02:35:49 PM 1053 Views
One or two, but not all that long ones *NM* ironclad - 13/07/2011 02:57:12 PM 1010 Views
Great Ending ClubCaved - 14/07/2011 01:21:53 AM 2041 Views
Really? ironclad - 14/07/2011 09:36:01 AM 1959 Views
Re: Really? Werthead - 14/07/2011 09:38:34 AM 1645 Views
Re: Great Ending samgreenaway - 18/07/2011 02:05:00 AM 1766 Views
YES! Larry - 14/07/2011 02:38:48 AM 1612 Views
Sorry for the n00b reply, sentiments still apply Stephen - 16/07/2011 07:27:43 PM 1759 Views
Re: Sorry for the n00b reply, sentiments still apply Zaphod - 17/07/2011 12:45:52 AM 1708 Views
I don't know what to think... (spoiler) aragornital - 14/07/2011 08:59:39 AM 1952 Views
Probably not. Werthead - 14/07/2011 09:19:03 AM 1951 Views
Re: Probably not. aragornital - 14/07/2011 03:57:55 PM 1779 Views
I think the two are mixed up. Werthead - 14/07/2011 11:23:06 PM 1854 Views
Re: I think the two are mixed up. samgreenaway - 18/07/2011 02:10:29 AM 1697 Views
What made least sense for me as far as that is concerned... ironclad - 14/07/2011 11:51:20 AM 1826 Views
They didn't. Werthead - 14/07/2011 11:24:53 PM 1872 Views
I see ironclad - 15/07/2011 08:28:09 AM 1785 Views
Didn't Jon just announced Roland00 - 26/07/2011 02:51:07 AM 1753 Views
Something I totally missed first time through Werthead - 14/07/2011 09:40:33 AM 2139 Views
Re: Something I totally missed first time through Cannoli - 16/07/2011 01:24:23 AM 2067 Views
Yep, that's what he said/thought A Deathwatch Guard - 17/07/2011 05:02:32 AM 1875 Views
Re: Something I totally missed first time through Jessie - 23/07/2011 04:14:38 PM 1722 Views
Well that brings new meaning Roland00 - 26/07/2011 02:53:18 AM 1644 Views
I'm still not fully done, but about the Reek chapters... fionwe1987 - 14/07/2011 04:05:29 PM 1877 Views
Agreed ironclad - 14/07/2011 06:18:15 PM 1893 Views
There's another... fionwe1987 - 14/07/2011 07:16:11 PM 1694 Views
There's that... Legolas - 17/07/2011 01:12:33 AM 1742 Views
It's worse than that... fionwe1987 - 17/07/2011 01:26:50 AM 1781 Views
Torture is wrong, and those chapters kinda proved it. *NM* Roland00 - 26/07/2011 02:53:55 AM 954 Views
GRRM completely shit the bed on Jon's arc within this book. That's the truth. Libby - 16/07/2011 12:51:08 AM 1915 Views
Having finished the book, my thoughts. (Spoilers) Variant - 16/07/2011 08:11:30 AM 1881 Views
Re: Having finished the book, my thoughts. (Spoilers) Zaphod - 17/07/2011 01:02:10 AM 1813 Views
Personally, I felt 'A Feast for Crows' was not only better written but more condensed. Libby - 17/07/2011 11:15:58 AM 1861 Views
Summed up like that there is no way to disagree with what you said ironclad - 17/07/2011 11:33:01 AM 1847 Views
You put words to my thoughts exactly. Sir Tybalt - 18/08/2011 09:17:09 PM 1729 Views
It should be re-titled A Jump with Sharks Tom - 17/07/2011 06:00:37 PM 1923 Views
Publishers are more interested in the bottom line. Werthead - 18/07/2011 12:31:56 AM 1708 Views
Sadly, I am likely overestimating the intelligence of the readers. Tom - 18/07/2011 03:05:12 AM 1927 Views
I felt bummed by Sanderson's new series. everynametaken - 18/07/2011 05:25:09 AM 1780 Views
I bought that book but have yet to read it. Tom - 18/07/2011 01:09:15 PM 1710 Views
Re: I bought that book but have yet to read it. Zach - 20/07/2011 06:45:46 AM 1735 Views
You might like this quote from House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski. heartbreak - 11/08/2011 03:42:05 PM 1804 Views
I'm afraid I have to agree with what seems to be the majority opinion... Legolas - 17/07/2011 07:35:47 PM 1868 Views
And on a different note entirely: is it me, or did the book need more proofreading? Legolas - 17/07/2011 07:39:15 PM 1768 Views
Re: And on a different note entirely: is it me, or did the book need more proofreading? samgreenaway - 18/07/2011 02:17:41 AM 1901 Views
Yeah, I agree. Stephen - 18/07/2011 05:59:58 PM 1808 Views
The book really shows it is AFFC part 2 Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:00:07 AM 1780 Views
No doubt, much like readers would've been more forgiving of aFfC if it'd been two years after SoS. Legolas - 26/07/2011 11:28:43 PM 1818 Views
Am I The Only One In Love With Arya's Chapters? *spoilers maybe* samgreenaway - 18/07/2011 02:22:00 AM 1803 Views
I enjoyed them, very solid chapters. Libby - 18/07/2011 12:50:43 PM 1823 Views
Unlike others, I won't start a separate thread to express my thoughts Larry - 19/07/2011 11:21:17 AM 1945 Views
Yeah, I wished there was a way to move them in here! ironclad - 19/07/2011 01:42:51 PM 1687 Views
Me too... but going and complaining about them seems so lame, too. Legolas - 19/07/2011 07:34:47 PM 1695 Views
I agree with Jens, good balanced review. *NM* Legolas - 19/07/2011 07:50:13 PM 939 Views
I think you let him off too easily. Tom - 20/07/2011 04:19:07 AM 1833 Views
It might be that I expected even more of a longeur than what happened Larry - 20/07/2011 05:24:50 PM 1778 Views
Your review is a little too generous (in my opinion) Libby - 20/07/2011 06:57:45 AM 1997 Views
I find myself both depressed and let down... Zach - 20/07/2011 06:37:16 AM 2108 Views
Am I the only one who really likes... ironclad - 20/07/2011 06:04:00 PM 1887 Views
yeh, he is nice... *NM* aragornital - 20/07/2011 06:20:13 PM 930 Views
Davos is probably my favourite Stephen - 20/07/2011 09:51:03 PM 1617 Views
I have to disagree in regards to Penny, she's a plot device and an annoying one at that. Variant - 21/07/2011 01:15:33 AM 1932 Views
Re: I have to disagree in regards to Penny, she's a plot device and an annoying one at that. Timthetrolloc - 21/07/2011 09:33:00 AM 1747 Views
The six bodies fired by the trebuchet Stephen - 20/07/2011 10:36:16 PM 1793 Views
Yes, I was confused by that too. Legolas - 20/07/2011 10:53:35 PM 1704 Views
Probably pale mare victims. Seige warfare via plague Urza - 20/07/2011 11:23:10 PM 1760 Views
Yes, I considered that as well... Legolas - 20/07/2011 11:48:32 PM 1732 Views
Have Quentyn's two mates already been sent off a this point? ironclad - 21/07/2011 02:03:15 PM 1774 Views
That could be it. *NM* Stephen - 21/07/2011 01:43:16 PM 846 Views
It's not six bodies, it's six trebuchets throwing corpses instead of stones DomA - 27/07/2011 01:03:51 AM 1843 Views
That's how I read it as well. Six trebuchets opening up. *NM* Michael - 11/08/2011 12:19:09 PM 928 Views
Stannis ironclad - 21/07/2011 08:43:40 AM 1742 Views
It's entirely possible Stannis was killed Tom - 21/07/2011 02:09:10 PM 1829 Views
I highly doubt he's dead A Deathwatch Guard - 21/07/2011 07:29:59 PM 1780 Views
The bluff makes the most sense: if the Boltons beat Stannis, why does he ask for Theon & Jeyne? Cannoli - 22/07/2011 12:01:30 AM 1839 Views
Yeah... Urza - 22/07/2011 12:27:53 AM 1736 Views
The letter sounded like the ravings of a psychopath loosing control DomA - 27/07/2011 02:56:21 AM 1889 Views
The Aegon Twist. Something about this doesn't add up. Libby - 21/07/2011 10:43:43 PM 1843 Views
Re: The Aegon Twist. Something about this doesn't add up. Werthead - 22/07/2011 05:42:13 PM 1913 Views
Alternatively.. fionwe1987 - 22/07/2011 09:13:46 PM 1740 Views
Which gods do you think are "real" in Martin's world? Tom - 22/07/2011 04:32:39 PM 1780 Views
None of them. Werthead - 22/07/2011 06:25:19 PM 1723 Views
Is that personal opinion or based on something Martin said? *NM* Tom - 22/07/2011 06:37:57 PM 938 Views
Opinion Werthead - 22/07/2011 07:43:16 PM 1740 Views
Regardless of whether or not they actually get involved, their existence (or not) is signficant. Tom - 23/07/2011 02:17:48 AM 1598 Views
I think there are some god's, just given different names. Same with the magic. fionwe1987 - 22/07/2011 09:24:51 PM 1718 Views
Lose the apostrophe in the subject line. Then: on what basis do you assume this? Tom - 23/07/2011 02:28:49 AM 1790 Views
You might want to stop wasting time correcting others typos. As for the gods... fionwe1987 - 23/07/2011 04:53:59 AM 1642 Views
You might want to stop making them. Particularly glaring ones like that. Tom - 23/07/2011 05:01:03 AM 1822 Views
A typo can't be "glaring"... fionwe1987 - 23/07/2011 08:08:51 AM 1702 Views
Sure it can. Glaring: conspicuous or obvious. Tom - 23/07/2011 03:52:57 PM 1717 Views
Morality stems from god? A Deathwatch Guard - 22/07/2011 10:47:59 PM 1706 Views
Of course it does Tom - 23/07/2011 02:26:50 AM 1698 Views
On second thought, let's address the issue directly. Tom - 23/07/2011 05:14:59 AM 1780 Views
Perhaps... A Deathwatch Guard - 24/07/2011 07:03:24 PM 1727 Views
Its simple... Urza - 24/07/2011 07:37:11 PM 1715 Views
I disagree... fionwe1987 - 25/07/2011 04:10:04 AM 1798 Views
Bullshit. Tom - 25/07/2011 05:44:41 AM 1667 Views
Re: Bullshit. fionwe1987 - 25/07/2011 06:27:09 AM 1578 Views
The Seven probably has more power and influence than any other religion though. Werthead - 25/07/2011 07:51:59 PM 1620 Views
In Westeros, but I always got the feeling the Free Cities and other places didn't much care for them A Deathwatch Guard - 26/07/2011 10:53:45 PM 1732 Views
Westeros is the biggest coherent civilisation in the ASoIaF world. Werthead - 27/07/2011 12:56:21 AM 1770 Views
Some thoughts... fionwe1987 - 25/07/2011 04:54:05 AM 1690 Views
It's not an objective morality. Tom - 25/07/2011 05:41:33 AM 1688 Views
Its not that simple... fionwe1987 - 25/07/2011 06:21:39 AM 1743 Views
I don't disagree with most of what you said. I just reach a different conclusion. Tom - 25/07/2011 01:57:31 PM 1678 Views
Well... fionwe1987 - 25/07/2011 05:02:45 PM 1687 Views
How then do you deal with the Euthyphro dilemma? Tim - 16/08/2011 01:43:18 PM 1554 Views
Re: Which gods do you think are "real" in Martin's world? aragornital - 25/07/2011 02:24:07 PM 1648 Views
Whats the best new POV Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:14:05 AM 1739 Views
Barristan Werthead - 26/07/2011 12:23:20 PM 1696 Views
Didn't Aeron "Damphair" Greyjoy also only have 2 POVs Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:56:57 PM 1771 Views
Agreed. *NM* Legolas - 26/07/2011 11:33:11 PM 969 Views
thirded. Jessie - 27/07/2011 04:16:26 PM 1562 Views
Absolutely *NM* ironclad - 29/07/2011 02:31:54 AM 1017 Views
Things you missed till they were pointed out via others or via a reread Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:23:53 AM 1888 Views
A bit. Werthead - 26/07/2011 12:32:32 PM 1855 Views
Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:46:54 PM 1787 Views
Re: Werthead - 27/07/2011 12:43:43 AM 1723 Views
Martin doesn't have to do anything Roland00 - 27/07/2011 01:33:36 AM 1800 Views
Re: Martin doesn't have to do anything DomA - 27/07/2011 04:38:19 AM 1696 Views
The crone who prophesied the stallion who mounts the world saw the stallions face Roland00 - 27/07/2011 05:13:28 AM 1820 Views
Re: Martin doesn't have to do anything aragornital - 27/07/2011 08:58:55 AM 1624 Views
Re: DomA - 27/07/2011 04:27:18 AM 1805 Views
I like your theory. Jessie - 27/07/2011 04:35:22 PM 1812 Views
Interesting... hadn't noticed some of those either. Legolas - 26/07/2011 11:32:18 PM 1801 Views
Re: Interesting... hadn't noticed some of those either. Roland00 - 27/07/2011 02:00:42 AM 1707 Views
Eh? Elaine - 29/07/2011 04:44:17 PM 1815 Views
This is complicated. Werthead - 31/07/2011 10:43:15 PM 2024 Views
Wait...a woman crowned for beauty was the victorious mystery knight? Tom - 01/08/2011 03:00:49 AM 1718 Views
It is believed the Knight of the Laughing Tree is one of two people Roland00 - 01/08/2011 04:47:21 AM 1758 Views
Yup. Werthead - 02/08/2011 12:03:26 AM 1663 Views
Also... fionwe1987 - 02/08/2011 07:17:43 AM 1751 Views
And yet, my huge brain figures it out Elaine - 04/08/2011 04:20:06 PM 1719 Views
I've read this scene yesterday and I missed this... aragornital - 02/08/2011 07:55:35 AM 1746 Views
Allow me Elaine - 05/08/2011 02:14:15 PM 1604 Views
thanks *NM* aragornital - 07/08/2011 07:28:21 AM 917 Views
I thought this was pretty clear HousealThor - 07/08/2011 05:18:54 PM 1621 Views
Hizdahr a Harpy? Innocent or Not? Roland00 - 26/07/2011 03:36:56 AM 2026 Views
Interesting idea. Werthead - 26/07/2011 12:25:11 PM 1832 Views
Re: Interesting idea. Jessie - 27/07/2011 04:25:02 PM 1748 Views
What is happening with the Maesters subplot? Any new leads? Roland00 - 26/07/2011 04:13:27 PM 1745 Views
Re: What is happening with the Maesters subplot? Any new leads? Werthead - 27/07/2011 12:49:52 AM 1951 Views
Re: What is happening with the Maesters subplot? Any new leads? DomA - 27/07/2011 03:49:18 AM 1861 Views
Re: A Dance with Dragons discussion thread jwk - 29/07/2011 01:42:57 AM 1867 Views
Okay. I suck. jwk - 29/07/2011 01:50:56 AM 1661 Views
Let me rephrase that... jwk - 29/07/2011 01:54:07 AM 1644 Views
Jon Snow is definitely Azor Ahai. Kotagg - 29/07/2011 07:31:17 PM 2255 Views
Hmm ironclad - 31/07/2011 01:52:03 PM 2021 Views
you are correct Jim - 31/07/2011 11:08:39 PM 1722 Views
Yup. Werthead - 31/07/2011 10:49:34 PM 1578 Views
But Shireen is a dragon... fionwe1987 - 01/08/2011 12:22:16 AM 1759 Views
I'm uncertain about that Larry - 01/08/2011 05:35:18 AM 1727 Views
True, but I wouldn't read too much into that. Werthead - 01/08/2011 11:42:29 PM 2005 Views
Where did he say that? fionwe1987 - 02/08/2011 07:18:39 AM 1853 Views
In interviews Werthead - 02/08/2011 02:21:28 PM 1834 Views
A little thought about Jon... aragornital - 02/08/2011 08:02:34 AM 1885 Views
Excellent point. Werthead - 02/08/2011 02:22:22 PM 1811 Views
Am I the only one who thinks... The Doctor - 09/08/2011 05:16:46 PM 1837 Views
I think Martin's gonna stick to Bran being the only one who does that ironclad - 10/08/2011 09:25:12 AM 1752 Views
It's possible, the problem is Jon's warging skill isn't all that well developed. Libby - 10/08/2011 10:53:32 PM 1730 Views
Anyone have any thoughts as to the purpose of Arya's storyline? Chas - 14/08/2011 06:28:09 PM 1735 Views
She's being trained as an assassin, so the question is who is she going to kill? Werthead - 16/08/2011 01:43:12 AM 1669 Views
Jon? Sir Tybalt - 18/08/2011 09:59:03 PM 1709 Views
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