What enables us to value life and to live it to its fullest?
According to atheist Peter Atkins, “Because there is no afterlife, we are
forced to grasp [and value] this life.”
But how can we value a life that is essentially valueless? According
to the humanist Max Hocutt:
·
“To me [the non-existence of God] means that
there is no absolute morality, that moralities are sets of social conventions
devised by humans to satisfy their needs…If there were a morality written up in
the sky somewhere but no God to enforce it, I see no good reason why anyone
should pay it any heed.” (Understanding
the Times)
How then are we to live a morally purposeful life if there
is no absolute/objective morality or value? Instead, life becomes reduced to a
merely physical existence. Therefore, when the good feelings and health leave
us, we are left with nothing to value.
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