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Atheism and Moral Accountability

Many atheists, dedicated to doing what is good, are offended by arguments that the

atheistic worldview has problems with morality. It is frustrating for an atheist who

genuinely loves doing kind actions to be told that, philosophically speaking, their lifestyle

doesn’t fit with their worldview. After all, for that person, it does fit together. On the one

hand, they don’t believe in an invisible fairy god who magically grants wishes, on the

other hand, they love science, reason and the people in their lives. (lease notice how

I define atheism!.

"herefore, when an argument from moral accountability is made, it can strike some

atheists as bi#arre. $hy is this% &irst, we need to e'plain the argument from moral

accountability, and then we’ll respond to the perception that this is a bi#arre) argument.

What is the argument from moral accountability?

"he argument begins by granting that both atheism and certain trans*cultural moral

statements are true. (In other words, for the sake of argument, not bringing up the

naturalistic fallacy!. +o, perhaps moral statements like love thy neighbor,) don’t

murder,) and be honest) are the morally right principles in every culture.

e't, the argument from moral accountability asks, $ell, so what% If a person flagrantly

violates all of the moral principles, what happens%) "he best answer is to say, society

will punish that person and their choices will be reduced by a fine, -ail time, or even by

capital punishment.)

"he important point to notice is that this response leads us to the following rational

ma'im do what you want, but don’t get caught. Or, for those with more power and

wealth do what you want, but be ready to defend yourself. Or, in nicer terms do what

makes you happy and that your society says is ok.

"he argument focuses on the fact that, in atheism, there is no authority figure, besides

other humans, who can secure -ustice for everyone. "herefore, if you are both powerful

and evil, then there are no real conse/uences for your immoral behavior. In those

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cases, there is no -ustice. 0ou can benefit yourself at the e'pense of others, thereby

reaping a higher /uality of life for yourself, and at death it is completely over.

"his is a necessary implication of atheism because there is no authority figure powerful

and good enough to secure -ustice for everyone, there is a lack of ultimate moral

accountability for those who do evil. If you can get away with it in this life, there are no

conse/uences for harmful actions. 1y the same token, for those who make sacrifices to

do what is good and right, there is no recompense for what they lost in the pursuit of

virtue.

"his is where the 1i#arre2) reply comes in. "he primary atheistic response here is to

say, "his argument is so weird2 $hat good is it if you’re motivated to do good -ust so

you don’t get punished% "hat is so childish2 0ou should be inspired to do what is good

 -ust because it is good.) I’m happy to agree with anyone who says this. 1eing motivated

by goodness itself is better than being motivated by fear of punishment.

3owever, life is more comple' and challenging than pure idealism allows for. It simply is

the case that the more motivations we have to be moral, the better off we are. "here

very well may be thousands of moments throughout one’s life where the conviction, I

will be accountable for my choices) leads one to make the right choice. 1ut if atheism is

true, this conviction is rationally replaced with, If I can get away with it, it won’t matter.)

In addition, the lack of moral accountability erodes our sense of fairness and our desire

for -ustice. "here is no hope that, in the end, everyone will get their due. Instead, a

clear*eyed, rational perspective is that, in the end, the powerful will get what they want,

and too bad for everyone else.

4ltimately, the lack of moral accountability is a significant practical challenge for

atheism. If atheists wish to remain moral and defend the importance of being moral,

they have to do so with this hand tied behind their back. In addition, they have to

continue believing in doing what is moral even though they know there is no ultimate

 -ustice in the universe. "hey know that whatever sacrifices they make to do the right

thing cannot be repaid and also, that whatever gains they make from uncaught

immorality are theirs to keep.

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In this particular way, atheism is a morally discouraging worldview. &urthermore, it

re/uires atheists to make a leap of faith if they wish to believe that living a moral

life really matters in some cosmic sense.

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BULAcan ecumenical school

School year 2014-2015

Research no.3

Submitted by

 !unar "hristian S. #el$n %-Samuel

Submitted to

&s.Sarah "aburnida

Se'tember(2)(2014