Where Do Good and Evil Come From? Prager U

Question 1

Name the five areas atheists propose as the source of morality.

Answer 1

1- Evolution
2- Reason
3- Conscience
4- Human Nature
5- Utilitarianism

Question 2

Why is evolution not the ultimate source of morality? (3 points)

Answer 2

1- Any supposed morality that is evolving can change.
2- If it can change for the good or the bad, then there must be a standard above these changes by which to judge them as good or bad.
3- Based on an ever-changing view of morality, who is to say that slavery won’t be acceptable again?

Question 3

Using slavery, explain the difference between accepted and acceptable. (3 points)

Answer 3

1- Slavery was once accepted but is was not therefore acceptable.
2- If you can’t make that distinction, you can’t criticize slavery.
3- If you can make that distinction, you are admitting to objective morality.

Question 4

While reasoning is a powerful tool, why is it not the ultimate source of morality? (2 points)

Answer 4

1- Criminals use reasoning to plan a murder without their reasoning telling them that murder is wrong.
2- Gentiles used something higher than reasoning to help the Jews during WWII since risking one’s life to save a stranger was an unreasonable thing to do.

Question 5

Why is conscience alone not the ultimate source of morality? (2 points)

Answer 5

1- Some people’s consciences lead them to do things we know are wrong. (Himmler’s torturing of the Jews)
2- How can you say your conscience is right and Himmler’s is wrong if conscience alone is the source of morality? You can’t.

Question 6

Why is human nature not the ultimate source of morality? (3 points)

Answer 6

1- Human nature can lead us to do all sorts of reprehensible things.
2- It leads us to do evil, to be selfish, petty, and unkind.
3- Human nature is the reason we need morality.

Question 7

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 7

What is morally right is determined by whatever creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 8

Why is utilitarianism not the ultimate source of morality?

Answer 8

If 90 percent of the people would get great benefit from enslaving the other 10 percent, would that make slavery right? According to utilitarianism, it would!

Question 9

What do moral laws tell us?

Answer 9

Unlike the laws of physics and mathematics which tell us what is, the laws of morality tell us what ought to be.

Question 10

What are you appealing to whenever you appeal to morality?

Answer 10

You are appealing to God and to religion even if you think you’re an atheist.

Question 11

What does the existence of morality prove?

Answer 11

The very existence of morality proves the existence of something beyond nature and beyond man.

Question 12

What do moral laws direct?

Answer 12

Moral laws direct and order right human behavior.

Question 13

How do moral laws exist? (3 points)

Answer 13

1- Moral laws don’t exist physically.
2- There are no moral atoms, cells, or genes.
3- They must exists apart from the physical world – beyond nature.

Question 14

Just as a design suggests a designer… (2 points)

Answer 14

1- Moral commands suggest a moral commander.
2- Moral laws suggest a moral law giver - what we commonly call God.

Question 15

Order of the argument.

Answer 15

1. Name the five areas atheists appeal to.
2. Evolution - 2 cards (one on slavery)
3. Reason
4. Conscience
5. Human Nature
6. Utilitarianism - 2 cards
   To show morality comes from God
7. Moral laws not physical -2 cards
8. Moral laws tell (1 card), direct (1 card), suggest (1 card)
9. Appealing to morality (1 card)
10. Order of argument (1 card)