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View Full Version : Tim Keller on Morality - Does the atheist worldview make morality selfish? (show of 7 March 09)


justinbrierley
March 9th 2009, 04:28 AM
http://www.eucatastrophe.com/blog/wp-content/images/keller200.jpg

Listen to the show of 7th March 2009 at the usual place: www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable
(http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable)
Tim Keller said something rather interesting. An atheist view of morality encourages self centredness - you should do the "right" thing not because there is actually an objectively right thing to do, but because this is what will make you happy.

He says "you are jury-rigging your self-centredness. You are not dealing with your self centredness by saying this is the right thing to do and you need to submit yourself to it".

Morality on the atheist world-view boils down to an evolutionarily determined "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" - is morality on the atheist worldview essentially selfish?

Shadow Phoenix
March 11th 2009, 08:59 PM
The problem with the Utilitarian view is that it really doesn't have an idea of the good. It seems to equate happiness with pleasure and that can lead to numerous problems. I think Keller did a good job on the program though and of course, you know my thoughts on it already Justin. I always enjoy listening to Unbelievable. (By the way, my personal vote, keep the music please.)