Happy Atheist Forum

Of course something can come into being from nothing, and it is possible for there to be an infinite regress of universes without the necessity for it to have a first cause. These theories have been well thought through and described by Victor Stenger, Quentin Smith, Graham Oppy and many more. The universe either just exists â€"a brute fact, or it caused itself to exist. It could have literally ‘popped into being’ by itself.
But ultimately why do we even question why the universe came to exist? We humans are here due to pure chance. Does it matter, for other reasons that pure curiosity that we evolved from the apes, which in turn evolved from a ball of slime millions of years ago? Our importance here on this planet is no more than an animal or plants’.  We have no special place in the universe. There is no higher purpose to our existence than that what we give ourselves in order to stay busy / focussed / happy while we live.
We exist for a few years only (a blink in the life of the infinite universe); during which we ought to strive to be happy, leave some money behind for the kids (so that they don’t have to work as hard to be happy), then die with the final thought that we will live on in the thoughts of those we leave behind (for a couple of years).
Finally, there is no such thing as objective moral values. It is all relative. What is right or wrong for me can be totally different for someone else (with a different cultural or historic background). And because we have no special place in the universe, or there is no higher purpose to our existence, I can never force my moral frame of reference on anyone else. As long as we live in relative harmony (not straying from a busy / focussed / happy live).

Quote from: "KvdM"But ultimately why do we even question why the universe came to exist?

I'm not sure.
Because we can?

Quote from: "KvdM"We humans are here due to pure chance. Does it matter, for other reasons that pure curiosity that we evolved from the apes, which in turn evolved from a ball of slime millions of years ago? Our importance here on this planet is no more than an animal or plants’.  We have no special place in the universe. There is no higher purpose to our existence than that what we give ourselves in order to stay busy / focussed / happy while we live.

Knowledge of our world and how we came to be is important, it informs how we live in the world, it shows us some of the complexity
and richness of the earth we live on.  You seem to talk dismissively of slime, someone who understands it would probably be inspired by it.  
No more than an animal, animals are wondrous.
Some people create a high purpose, as long as it isn't built on harmful fantasy I wish them well.

Quote from: "KvdM"We exist for a few years only (a blink in the life of the infinite universe); during which we ought to strive to be happy, leave some money behind for the kids (so that they don’t have to work as hard to be happy), then die with the final thought that we will live on in the thoughts of those we leave behind (for a couple of years).

I seem to be have been alive for quite a while.
Each year does seem to get shorter though.
You sound like you need to take a nice walk, or float in the ocean for a while.

Quote from: "KvdM"Finally, there is no such thing as objective moral values. It is all relative. What is right or wrong for me can be totally different for someone else (with a different cultural or historic background). And because we have no special place in the universe, or there is no higher purpose to our existence, I can never force my moral frame of reference on anyone else. As long as we live in relative harmony (not straying from a busy / focussed / happy live).

I'm a bit tired of this no objective morals thing.
I say female genital mutilation is wrong.
It is wrong because I feel it is and I think it is, and anyone who says different, well fuck them.

Hi KvdM

Would that be Kris?

I see your starting with the easy stuff.  

I think you just got the largest post I have seen out of TMP, well done!

Welcome aboard.

Regards
Chris

welcome to haf

Quote from: "KvdM"I can never force my moral frame of reference on anyone else. As long as we live in relative harmony (not straying from a busy / focussed / happy live).

but asking others to live in relative harmony is a moral frame of reference...you determine morality based on what makes people happy.

Morality exists because human beings are social animals and need a system which promotes just that, harmony.  Without morality it would be very hard for us to work in groups (as is obvious when people with differing moralities try to work together) and we wouldn't be able to have combined efforts to make our lives more comfortable.  This is all regardless of if god or the universe have a purpose....it's utilitarian to develop a reasoned moral code within a society.

QuoteWe humans are here due to pure chance.

What about natural selection is "pure chance"?

Quote from: "PoopShoot"

QuoteWe humans are here due to pure chance.

What about natural selection is "pure chance"?

Natural selection acts as a filter on survival, it has no aim and as such the creation of any one specific type of organism is 'pure chance'. I think that once abiogenesis has done, its outcome will evolve. Abiogenesis is the dice roll at the beginning but once a robust organic replicator gets going evolution through natural selection as a process is a certainty. However where that process filters life too is 'pure chance' with regard to any one specific species.

Welcome KvdM!
Your intro seemed a little trolly to me. But what the heck, you felt the need to say that infinite regress is impossible then say the universe is infinite. So, ok.

How's the weather wildfire?

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"How's the weather wildfire?

Speedy by the sound of it!

Quote from: "KvdM"Of course something can come into being from nothing, and it is possible for there to be an infinite regress of universes without the necessity for it to have a first cause. These theories have been well thought through and described by Victor Stenger, Quentin Smith, Graham Oppy and many more. The universe either just exists â€"a brute fact, or it caused itself to exist. It could have literally ‘popped into being’ by itself.
But ultimately why do we even question why the universe came to exist? We humans are here due to pure chance. Does it matter, for other reasons that pure curiosity that we evolved from the apes, which in turn evolved from a ball of slime millions of years ago? Our importance here on this planet is no more than an animal or plants’.  We have no special place in the universe. There is no higher purpose to our existence than that what we give ourselves in order to stay busy / focussed / happy while we live.
We exist for a few years only (a blink in the life of the infinite universe); during which we ought to strive to be happy, leave some money behind for the kids (so that they don’t have to work as hard to be happy), then die with the final thought that we will live on in the thoughts of those we leave behind (for a couple of years).
Finally, there is no such thing as objective moral values. It is all relative. What is right or wrong for me can be totally different for someone else (with a different cultural or historic background). And because we have no special place in the universe, or there is no higher purpose to our existence, I can never force my moral frame of reference on anyone else. As long as we live in relative harmony (not straying from a busy / focussed / happy live).

I sense angry troll...
I could be wrong though.

Hi.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"You sound like you need to take a nice walk, or float in the ocean for a while.

Absolutely. To my way of thinking, a single day on the ocean makes the whole universe worthwhile.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"I'm a bit tired of this no objective morals thing.
I say female genital mutilation is wrong.
It is wrong because I feel it is and I think it is, and anyone who says different, well fuck them.

And again, absolutely. People say, how can you have a moral code without divine guidance. I say, look around.

You've seen it in the news? The strongest typhoon this year, thus far, hit the northern part of my country. Whilst my family is due south of its eye, we're experiencing heavy rains and strong gusts of wind. I am waiting for a call from the university right now to pack relief goods for the affected people. And I am still not sure if my flight tomorrow will be cancelled. I pray for The Magic Pudding's intervention for this natural phenomenon.

Quote from: "wildfire_emissary"I pray for The Magic Pudding's intervention for this natural phenomenon.

I've been working to move the storm off your main island.
It could take me a few days to weaken this super typhoon.
If only more people prayed I could work faster.

Is that a spatula you're holding?

Quote from: "wildfire_emissary"Is that a spatula you're holding?

Cricket bat, I was planning on whacking Sophis on the head and stealing his star.
Also good for zombies.

Welcome!

Why are we here?

Good question.

My answer to it is that we all, as individuals, decide our purpose in life.

I know it's trite, but there's not much beyond that.

Since we are atheists, we can all agree there is no planned purpose for us, from an intelligent being.