Value in human life

[Topher]

In another thread (Atheistic Morality) AZeitung argued that something can only have value if humans themselves have value. He basically said God was that value, which is indirectly stating that non-theists have no value.

What are your thoughts? And makes your life, and life in general, have value?

[Ikken Hisatsu]

i dont need god to value another humans (or my own) life. if thats the way someone thinks about it- that god is neccessary for life to have meaning- they are in a pretty sad way, imo.

[Socrastein]

Nothing is "inherently" valuable. The idea is absurd and cannot be reasonably defended (at least, in all my years, I've yet to see anything even closely resembling a sound argument for metaphysical significance). Humans have valuable lives because humans value their lives. Things are only valuable because they are valued. Every living human, in fact, every living sentient being values its own existence. If they did not, then they have long since offed themselves and wouldn't fall under the category of 'living sentient being' now would they?

I value knowledge above all, I very strongly value my girlfriend and the happiness she brings me, and I value good food and a hard workout. Because God gives these things value? Not really, the bloke doesn't even exist. Because these things somehow have transcendent and metaphysical meaning instilled in them? No. Just because I like them, personally. That's good enough for me, and everyone else, except for a few people like AZ.

[Andy K]

In another thread (Atheistic Morality) AZeitung argued that something can only have value if humans themselves have value. He basically said God was that value, which is indirectly stating that non-theists have no value.

What are your thoughts? And makes your life, and life in general, have value?

I just want to point out as well that AZ didn't indirectly state that non-theists have no value. In his hypothetical all humans have value, a value that God prescribes, regardless of whether they believe in God or not. They are still human, so they still have value (the value God instilled).

[Socrastein]

I think what Homer is getting at is the fact that AZ thinks that an atheist must believe they are valueless and everything in their lives is meaningless because they don't believe in God. In other words, atheists aren't allowed to think anything has meaning.

[Andy K]

I don't really see how AZ would believe that atheists believe they have no value as I assume he would admit that atheists would not follow his "God = value" belief.
Sorry, I'm probably just confusing things. I'd need to read the original thread to get AZ's idea right.

[Socrastein]

No no, not that we don't value things, that we SHOULDN'T value things because in his mind it's irrational, because he believes without God, there is no value.

[Andy K]

Ahhh, OK. Now I understand. Thanks for pointing out the distinction socrastein.

[Socrastein]

No worries.