To begin, this is my first post and I might as well share my particular views before I begin.
I am an atheist in the sense of personal gods but I have yet to make up my mind about an all pervasive force in the universe that can not be defined. But, this discussion is not about whether or not atheism is right or wrong. In fact, I would like the mention of gods, deities, or anything else of that nature to not come up here.
Secondly, I hold that morality is a construct of society and relative.
So, without holding off the topic further...
Atheism and morality. Because of the lack of a higher "law", can we say that there is an objective morality?
If there is not an objective morality, can we sustain that cultural morality is a valid basis for morality?
If there is an objective morality, where does it come from? (I will debate against this, but I would like to see arguments for it).
If you hold that not only is there not an objective morality, but that relative morality is irrelevant, please expand on your topic.
If you hold a fourth stance, please explain.
Nihilists, Solipsists, and other hyper-radical or non-falsifiable philosophical viewpoints need not respond.
just gonna through some facts out there and general statments out there
to have morals and or ethics a belief in god is not required.
Both people of religion and not religion have morals and ethic.
Morals and ethics are factually subjective, always have been and always will be.
They are INFLUENCED by things, religion, up bringing, society, culture, personal opinions etc but they are subjective.
Some groups have similar morals or the same BASIC foundation but they instantly change for situation to situation.
so on to your questions:
1.)can we say that there is an objective morality?
no we can not say as a whole or a blanket statement that there is an objective morality because that would be 100% false.
2.)If there is not an objective morality, can we sustain that cultural morality is a valid basis for morality?
yes and no, it varies from what person you ask in that cultral so again even cultural morality is totally subjective so there no way to define it.
3.)If there is an objective morality, where does it come from?
theres not
4.)If you hold that not only is there not an objective morality, but that relative morality is irrelevant, please expand on your topic.
well we have already established that there isnt an objective morality so that cant make anything else irrelevant since it doesnt exist.
But in general only morals that are enforced by law are semi-relevant (because they could effect you)
all others are only relevant to the person that believes in them