All I can do is attempt to convince [byrnema] that atheism really isn’t what it feels like from your perspective.
I’m not sure that’s possible. As someone who’s been an atheist for at least 30 years, I’d say atheism does feel like that, unless there’s some other external source of morality to lean on.
From the back and forth on this thread, I’m now wondering if there’s a major divide between those who mostly care deeply without needing a reason to care, and those who mostly don’t.
I’m not surprised to encounter people here who find nihlism comfortable, or at least tolerable, for that reason. People who find it disabling—who can’t care without believing that there’s an external reason to care—not so much.
I’m not sure that’s possible. As someone who’s been an atheist for at least 30 years, I’d say atheism does feel like that, unless there’s some other external source of morality to lean on.
From the back and forth on this thread, I’m now wondering if there’s a major divide between those who mostly care deeply without needing a reason to care, and those who mostly don’t.
I’d thought of that myself a few days ago. It seems like something that we’d experience selection bias against encountering here.
I would expect to see nihilist atheists overrepresented here—one of the principles of rationality is believing even when your emotions oppose it.
I’m not surprised to encounter people here who find nihlism comfortable, or at least tolerable, for that reason. People who find it disabling—who can’t care without believing that there’s an external reason to care—not so much.
I don’t feel that way at all, personally—I’m very happy to value what I value without any kind of cosmic backing.