A question for athests here?

We have found that preservation of the species and the self is beneficial to us. Our "right" and "wrong" are centered around those instincts.

Natural Law is just another word for describing real world interactions. For example the Law of Gravity is a formula that describes the force of gravity between two masses over distance. Natural laws are not orders for the world to follow, they are just descriptions of how things act.

Ethics is about doing what works for people and society to function. If you have thieves who are not punished, and widespread corruption in business, then modern societies cease to function. Trade, business and finance become impossible and economies collapse.

It is really quite simple.

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If you mean something about the legal system by "Natural Law" then keep in mind that all legal systems of law are manmade and are designed to deal with problems as they arise. A legal system that would work for a small primitive society likely would include nothing about investment law or corporate law. A modern system must include a law of contracts or it becomes impossible to run a business.

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's so simple and would work great if we weren't so damn human. But we are, so I include, If you do unto me, or anyone else for that matter, like a scumwad don't be surprised if I do unto your stupid face, in what I judge to be, equal measure (or worse, cuz I'm only human too.) Of course, we should use restraint, not jump to conclusions, and try to be understanding and have a little compassion, but like I said, "don't be surprised".

P.S. And don't try to tell me what I should do for you, and tell me that you would do the same for me if our roles were reversed. That is a perversion of The Golden Rule.

P.P.S. Some of you are not on using the same definition of natural law that I believe the asker of this question is; look it up in the dictionary or encyclopedia.

Love, team work, put others' needs before yours. Seek knowledge and wisdom. Leave a world better than how we received it. Science leads to medicine and better understanding of the world which leads to tolerance of one another. When AIDs first appeared. The religious groups were calling a cure sent by God to kill gays. We went back into the dark ages, even with modern religions. It was science that figured out that it was a virus and calmed the people down.

Natural law, like the scientific laws of the material world, is discoverable, and the process of its discovery and elaboration should be subject to reason and evidence, not to the arbitrary authority of ancient writers.

Ethics is nothing more or less than the science of how to structure human behaviour and interactions to maximise the happiness of sentient beings. This too can be based on reason and evidence: for example it is evident to most people that the happiness of others is important to their own happiness.

I have done it so many times and all it does is elicit thumbs down. Who I am and how I arrived at this doesn't seem to matter. All that matters is that I do not believe in God and that, to many (notice I didn't say all) Christians, is a Hell worthy trespass.

Honestly, what is the point? The point is to lend people ammunition. If I want to give people ammunition, all I have to do is say "I am Atheist." Beyond that, many just tune out...

I don't agree with the concept of natural law, but rather positive law.

As for ethics, I tend to think of Reason and Justice. Nothing supernatural.

I see no evidence of natural law as I understand the term. (Clearly there are certain things which always happen in nature but that isn't what 'natural law' is referring to).

As for ethics, I like it. (Come on, you expect people to write a treatise on ethics in general?)

What? Not another trolling question? But an actual question?

Evolution is scientific fact. As 2+2=4.

Ethics (in what) in life? Be good to others. Simple.

i follow (or try to) all state, federal, and local laws to the best of my ability. (i know you speed on the highway too).

ethics? give me a scenario

i am against gay marriage

i am pro-choice

i support stem cell research

i think o.j. was guilty

and i think that those priests who molested the alter boys should be publicly beaten.