For Certain Reasons

This morning, I led a discussion group at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne. The topic was morality and ethics from an atheistic perspective. Especially here in the United States, a large majority of people claim a god or gods to be the source of morality, and religion to be the only method to understand it. Many American atheists were raised within this moral framework, and when they come to finally reject the religion into which they were born, they are forced to reconsider morality from the ground up.

For obvious reasons, this can be completely overwhelming. However, after the related search for meaning, it is one of the most important challenges an atheist must face. Thankfully, more and more writers, philosophers, and scientists are addressing the issue of establishing, in the most objective manner possible, a natural basis for morality. Here is a small sampling of the resources presently available:

A Guide for the Godless. This free e-book by professor Andrew Kernohan of Dalhousie University focuses on meaning more than morality, but I find the two to be inextricably linked, and this is a great place to start.

Life! This book by Martin Walker uses the laws of physics to consider how we might create a framework for objective morality.

The Moral Landscape. Prominent atheist writer Sam Harris discusses how the science and reason can be used to establish morality.

Sense and Goodness Without God. Historian Richard Carrier uses metaphysical naturalism to explain morality and other topics.

The Science of Good and Evil.  Skeptic Michael Shermer looks for natural sources of morality, focusing on evolution and the behavior of other primates.

Parenting Beyond Belief.  Dale McGowan's book gives advice on how to raise thoughtful, ethical children without indoctrination - not what to think, but how to think for themselves.


Again, this is just a small sampling. I'll try to update when new works become available. I would also recommend contacting groups like Freethought Fort Wayne, Center for Inquiry, and the American Humanist Association for further discussion.

To all who attended the discussion, thank you very much, and great thanks to UUCFW for having me. Please leave a comment here or contact me at mike_butler (at) freethoughtfortwayne (dot) org with any questions.