This, if true, blows the whole "morality comes from god" argument right out of the water. If mice and rats are as moral as us, then perhaps we should start asking them what the One True Religion™ is.Scientists studying animal behaviour believe they have growing evidence that species ranging from mice to primates are governed by moral codes of conduct in the same way as humans.
Until recently, humans were thought to be the only species to experience complex emotions and have a sense of morality.
This part of the article in particular caught my interest. What seems to be highly complex actions and moral thought from a decidedly non-primate species? I'd never heard of this before, but if its true it really could be used an argument to persuade on-the-fencers to our side, at least on the morality-independent-from-god issue.Elephants are intensely sociable and emotional animals. Research by Iain Douglas Hamilton, from the department of zoology at Oxford University, suggests elephants experience compassion and has found evidence of elephants helping injured or ill members of their herd.
In one case, a Matriarch known as Eleanor fell ill and a female in the herd gently tried to help Eleanor back to her feet, staying with her before she died.
In 2003, a herd of 11 elephants rescued antelope who were being held inside an enclosure in KwaZula-Natal, South Africa.
The matriarch unfastened all of the metal latches holding the gates closed and swung the entrance open allowing the antelope to escape.
This is thought to be a rare example of animals showing empathy for members of another species – a trait previously thought to be the exclusive preserve of mankind.
2 comments:
That article that you read sounds pretty interesting. I myself have no idea how anyone can tell what kind of morals an animal has, all I know is that animals have instincts that help them to cope and survive; the idea of animals being moral or unmoral is an argument that I don’t believe any one can figure out. I know that God created the animals and that He created men to be on a higher level then the animals, knowing right from wrong, and having an innate sense of morality. That goes for everyone, not just Christians with the exclusion of non-Christians or vise versa….I have a question for you. Atheism has always interested me, this belief system made from the rejection of all religious beliefs. I was wondering if you would tell me a little bit about your story and how and why you came to the conclusion that you did. If this is too personal I understand, I do not mean to invade in your life, but I thought perhaps you would share your story and some of your thoughts with me.
If it was too personal i wouldn't have a blog that trumpets the fact that im an atheist. ;)
Morality, and certain basic things, is universal because there are certain behaviors that benefit the community, so animals (including people) that exhibit these behaviors have a better shot at reproducing and passing those traits on.
Atheism is not a belief system, per se. T Here is no "system" to it. It is simply a lack of belief. its not even universally rejection of the idea of religion. there are some atheists who simply don't care about religion enough to bother to 'reject' it.
My story isnt anything special, i knew i didn't believe in God solidly around age 11. My parents flaunted with the Jehovah's Witness religion and thats what i was generally raised in. regular bible reading and such. I was a great annoyance to my elders constantly questioning the wisdom of alot of the things god did, like turning lots wife into a pillar of salt for just turning around at what was, as far as i could see, the only home shed ever known. that seemed harsh to me.
another thing i remember having a huge problem with was adam and eve getting in crap for disobeying god for something they did BEFORE they understood good and evil. That still makes no sense to me.
AS i grew older, i realized that there were thousands of religion, nearly all mutually exclusive, none with a shred of proof, and the only thing that could provide proof, is steadily marching towards a point where there will be no need for a "god of the gaps".
Besides, the concept that the beauty of nature got the way it is by chance, rather than guided that way by an invisible, godly hand, inspires far more awe in me than the contrary view.
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