Discussion Group 2 - South Hills

You asked for it! A Discussion Group 2 - in the South Hills area.

This month's topic: What should be the basis of human ethics and morality? Philosophers have suggested science, pure reason, social norms (moral relativism), biological predispositions or some combination of the above. Assuming that religion is not a reliable source of ethical and moral guidelines, what guidelines should we use?

Secular Humanists have suggested guidelines, affirmations, or “Ten Commandments” of sorts to set forth our ethical principles. Are these valuable, or are we imposing a dogma to replace the religious dogma from which we have freed ourselves?

Suggested references:

Frans de Waal: Morality Without Religion (3 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEQuIDqY6Cc

Patricia Churchland: Neuromorality (25 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_4RV7V5Dzs

For fun, here’s the famous proof of the primate sense of fairness (<3 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meiU6TxysCg

De Waal, Frans The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates

https://www.amazon.com/Bonobo-Atheist-Search-Humanism-Primates/dp/0393347796/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480556481&sr=1-3&keywords=frans+de+Waal

Katz, Leonard D., Ed. Evolutionary Origins of Morality

http://www.amazon.com/Evolutionary-Origins-Morality-Disciplinary-Perspectives/dp/090784507X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444179676&sr=1-1&keywords=evolutionary+origins+of+morality

General discussion group info:

PFC Monthly discussion groups are open to all - if the topic interests you, you'll be welcome! Casual dress. Discussion is moderated but informal - speak up as much or little as you wish. If you have any suggestions/ideas for a topic or category to discuss, please feel free to submit them to: program@pghfreethought.org

Discussion Group 2 meets in a conference room at the Sunnyhill Unitarian Universalist Church in Mt. Lebanon. Please use the side door entrance on the right side of the building, NOT the main entrance. PFC will supply light refreshments. See you there!