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Notes -
I want to resurrect a variant of an old question that has got me wondering again. Is it possible for an atheist to think deeply about life without losing motivation to live well?
It’s trite to phrase it like this, but the atheistic model still seems utterly devoid of motivation or purpose when you dwell on it. Obviously, if you don’t dwell on the facts of life, you can distract yourself with various concerns and pursuits. But what if you don’t distract yourself? Someone with a religious model involving a loving God can ponder his existence forever and be motivated and purpose-filled, provided that they forever presuppose a loving God as an article of faith. But I’m trying to envision an atheist pondering life while still maintaining motivation to live vibrantly and maximally. How do they do it, do they do it, or are they just distracting themselves?
Eg, “an atheist believes they need to make life count” —> count for what? Your life does not count, by your own definition. You will cease to exist, like the dinosaurs, who surely did not count. So why are you programming your own Operating System as a hobby? It doesn’t count! “But it makes me happy” —> drugs will surely make you more happy. Why not do them?
Dinosaurs did count. If it comes to pass that 67 million years from now, tiny creatures that I could have eaten gaze upon my remains in awe, I will have considered my life a success. God or no God, this is a fine accomplishment.
I do the ones that I think will make me happy. Drinking is fun and I love beer, so I drink beer. Coffee is delicious and caffeine is effective, so I drink coffee. Nicotine is enjoyable and cigars are tasty, so I smoke cigars. I don't think this is all that compelling of a gotcha for the godless. Hard drugs won't induce eudomonia, so I skip them.
I'm sure I miss some important experiences that Mormons have in their belief, but I can't induce that belief organically and I seem to do fine as I am. Just based on observation, I would say that I'm closer to living vibrantly and maximally than the median theist, so I'm more that a little skeptical of whether religious beliefs are central to that life well-lived.
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