Modern Society and the Value of our Values

Meanwhile, back at the forum,
Dux; I would suggest the word "introspection" to replace "loneliness", as, when engaged in pondering the deepest reaches of existence, one is never aware of being lonely.
Mind you the loneliness comes later when, once you have come to some enlightening conclusions, you cannot find anyone to listen!

Nihilism and theism are not our only choices. Atheism, humanism, and agnosticism are meaningful alternatives. A belief in gods or a transcendent self is not necessary for people to have values, value other beings, and find meaning in our own existence here and now.

My life is valuable to me (and, I like to think, to those who know me) both because I enjoy the experiencing of it and because I think that my existence contributes to the progress of the human race.

It doesn't matter that I don't know whether we have any purpose or what it may be, or that the human race may have evolved out of recognition or even be extinct in a few million years. It doesn't matter that the earth will be dead in a few billion years and that the known universe will eventually come to an end.

It doesn't matter that "I" will most likely cease to exist when my brain decays.

What matters is that "I" am a sentient being who has determined that there are two absolute values in life:

Terry wrote:

Quote:

Nihilism and theism are not our only choices. Atheism, humanism, and agnosticism are meaningful alternatives. A belief in gods or a transcendent self is not necessary for people to have values, value other beings, and find meaning in our own existence here and now.

When we talk about god and transcendence it is about the ultimate truth, what actually is going on.

If the possibilities are either god, (transcendent self) exists or god does not exist, agnosticism is not in the picture, agnosticism cannot be the truth, it's a way station.

Atheism, if true, i.e. god does not exist, is Nihilism, and in this quest humanism is navel gazing.

Although I think it is through so called navel gazing that truth will be found, but it has to reach beyond, or deeper into human interests, and beyond, to attempt to gaze upon the gazer.

Hence two possibilities, god exists or god does not exist, (nihilism)

Btw, I don't believe that atheism is part of the path to nihilsm, maybe it's a part of path to know yourself more.

The creative bit is evaluating: In particular, are there any values that are essential for health and happiness whcih are sytematically neglected in modern cultures way of life?

When we talk about god and transcendence it is about the ultimate truth, what actually is going on.

If the possibilities are either god, (transcendent self) exists or god does not exist, agnosticism is not in the picture, agnosticism cannot be the truth, it's a way station.

Atheism, if true, i.e. god does not exist, is Nihilism, and in this quest humanism is navel gazing.

Thus it happens, when the Atheist approaches the problem of finding natural grounds for human morals and establishing a nonsuperstitious basis for behavior, that it appears as though nature has already solved the problem to a great extent. Indeed, it appears as though the problem of establishing a natural, humanistic basis for ethical behavior is not much of a problem at all. It is in our natures to desire love, to seek beauty, and to thrill at the act of creation.
Atheism

Nihilism is the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy.
Nihilism

Secular Humanism is a term which has come into use in the last thirty years to describe a world view with the following elements and principles:
A conviction that dogmas, ideologies and traditions, whether religious, political or social, must be weighed and tested by each individual and not simply accepted on faith.
Commitment to the use of critical reason, factual evidence, and scientific methods of inquiry, rather than faith and mysticism, in seeking solutions to human problems and answers to important human questions.
A primary concern with fulfillment, growth, and creativity for both the individual and humankind in general.
A constant search for objective truth, with the understanding that new knowledge and experience constantly alter our imperfect perception of it.
A concern for this life and a commitment to making it meaningful through better understanding of ourselves, our history, our intellectual and artistic achievements, and the outlooks of those who differ from us.
A search for viable individual, social and political principles of ethical conduct, judging them on their ability to enhance human well-being and individual responsibility.
A conviction that with reason, an open marketplace of ideas, good will, and tolerance, progress can be made in building a better world for ourselves and our children.
Secular Humanism

However that does mean that a god does not exist, for many reasons, one being; we are left with the fact that we cannot observe the observer (of life). ... As we have discussed many times , this " I " is being observed so it isn't the 'real' self if the real self is the observer. The observer I am cannot be observed as an observable.

I don't think it's even the 'observer' that is relevant. There are too many interpretations of what the observer sees. c.i.

Dux, nepotism and cronyism probably have more to do with power than love. You can love your children and still want them to be independent and succeed on their own merits.

Dux, I love my children A LOT, but I would not "DO ANYTHING" to give them a brighter future. I would not lie, cheat, or steal for them. I would not give them a job they did not deserve at the expense of someone else. Of course, my children happen to be pretty smart and do not need much from us (although we are paying their college tuition). My son (21) has a job and pays all of his own expenses. He works full time in the summer and part time during the school year, at a job he found for himself. My daughter will be a sophomore and we are pay for her dorm room, but expect her to pay for her own expenses with the money she earns during the summer.

I can see that it is different in your culture, but your experience is not universal.

False, parents who love their children alot would DO ANYTHING to help them get a brighter future...

I know this because is a reality down here, I live it, & I can testify it.