I did read a book on ethics, but I have never found a reason: if all theological speculations are false, why should we be moral?

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[–]Canbot 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

What is morality?

If morality is doing that which will not harm others then not harming your family, your tribe, or really anyone who can in some future situation be of use to you is naturally a benefit to you by not degrading those potential assets.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

I'm not sure, but what you are describing is egoism, which is exactly what I am wondering about. I suppose that moral reasoning would require reasoning on principles other than just self interest.

[–]Canbot 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Your question presupposes egoism.

Morality under religious logic, which promises salvation as a reward for virtue, is also egoism. Under almost every possible definition morality and self interest are inextricably linked. Why follow the moral laws of a god if not for your own self interest?

So your question boils down to "what are the benefits of moral behaviour without the rewards promised by religion"

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Not quite. You are assuming that merely doing moral things without meaning them suffices to be rewarded.

In fact, to distinguish between really meaning it and just keeping the laws for your own benefit is probably why evil is permitted to exist.

[–]Canbot 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I read this several times and have no idea what you are trying to say.

It sounds like you have some notion that an emotional feeling has to be attached to your actions in order to make them valid.

That is nonsense.

The emotional feelings you attach to your actions are just self congratulatory, narcissistic ego flatulation.

It is this "feelings over facts" ideology that leads to the greatest evil. As the saying goes "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".

The trans movement is built on emotional platitudes and on that platform they confuse and groom prepubecent children into a mental disorder so torturous that their suicide rate exceeds that of prisoners of war. Do you think those actions are moral because they feel good about them?

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I’m saying that keeping the law only keeps you from punishment, but rewards go to people who are genuinely altruistic. Yet people don’t become saints?

[–]Canbot 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

What law? What does a law have to do with morality?

What is "genuinely altruistic"? Who decides what is genuine?

What does sainthood have to do with anything?