in atheism, is there such thing as a conscience?

Question

if so......... where is it? what is it? how is a conscience scientific?

Answer 1

Absolutely! We just don't fear eternal damnation as an added consequence.



Besides "conscience" has the word "science", built right in – "con" meaning "with" means you could translate conscience as "with-awareness"; awareness of our own actions while learning about the world around us.

Answer 2

Very scientific. People do what's best for the survival of their race. Culture is also a big part of conscience.



Maybe they even have a conscience more so than some Christians. Atheists don't do things because they know they're wrong. Christians do so because the Bible's says so... if this is not true, why do they use the bible?



Sorry... I"m not a hater... I love christians just as much as atheists, yo

Answer 3

No. Atheism is a belief that there is no god.





Conscience has nothing to do with it.





although, if you think about the development of people, having a conscience would help a group a people collectively, and thus ensure that some survive to pass on the trait...

Answer 4

Err...atheism is a disbelief, not a set of rules that something could be "in"



Your dog has a conscience in case you aren't observant enough to notice. Social skills are a rather obvious survival trait which is what evolution selects for.

Answer 5

Sure. It's your moral compass, what you believe is right and wrong. Religion and having a conscience are not in any way related. Cognitive function and thinking is a brain process, so I suppose it's scientific.

Answer 6

I don't think you understand that morals do NOT come from religion. Of course atheists have consciences. This is a stupid question. It's like me asking why don't Christians have logic. Just because they believe in something (or don't believe in something) doesn't mean they don't have a common human trait.



Don't be stupid.

Answer 7

its probably a complex guilt system.



its scientific because humans are social creatures. in order for social creatures to live together some laws must be laid out and there would be biological traps to ensure such laws are upheld.



stealing=bad thing on your conscious because stealing = bad for the society that the human is living in.

that way humans live together more efficiently and with less bloodshed since we know there would be negative consequences even if we dont get caught. that is... if you are brought up to those moral standards of said society.

Answer 8

I don't think you know what atheism is.



And your conscience is an evolutionary selected for trait. That nagging feeling keeps you at least somewhat honest, which is required for group cohesion, a vital survival strategy for social animals like humans.

Answer 9

Yes. It is brain patterns. The same way everyone else has one. They have done studies with unfairness and its reaction on the brain. That is the conscience, that is the chemical and electrical activity in the brain.

Answer 10

Are you positing that if someone is an atheist, than that person is incapable of having a conscience? If so, what is your evidence to that effect?

Answer 11

Wow, we think, that must mean there's a god! The brain is an amazing organ, and in part can be explained by evolution. In fact, the belief of religion, the experience of prayer can be traced in the brain and in our evolution. Fascinating stuff. The brain can believe what is not real! And you really don't know the truth from a lie, what you believe to be true can easily be a lie! And vise versa.

Answer 12

so you're saying that you're so inherently horrible that without some sort of deity you wouldn't have a conscience?



incidentally scientific research today is governed by all sorts of ethical codes...

Answer 13

I have a conscience, yes.

Answer 14

I personally don't believe in religion but I know the difference between right and wrong. I don't know the science behind it but I feel guilt, shame, etc. just like folks who go to church.

Answer 15

Conscience isn't religious so I don't see what being atheist has to do with it.

Answer 16

It's a chemical reaction from the brain, just like every emotion is.

Answer 17

"In atheism" - that doesn't make sense.





Where: The brain

What: Neurons firing

Scientific: Yes



We are only just beginning to understand the mind

Answer 18

Isn't your question a form of discrimination, implying that atheists are 2nd class citizens because they are like animals or something. Another reason to distrust fundies.

Answer 19

Of course there is. We are human beings, after all.

Answer 20

It's part of the brain workings, were you unaware?

Answer 21

Sure. If I do something bad, I feel bad. Simple enough, really.