³I don't believe in God, Gods, Godlets or any sort of higher power beyond the universe itself, which seems quite high and powerful enough to me. I don't believe in life after death, channeled chat rooms with the dead, reincarnation, telekinesis or any miracles but the miracle of life and consciousness, which again strike me as miracles in nearly obscene abundance. I believe that the universe abides by the laws of physics, some of which are known, others of which will surely be discovered, but even if they aren't, that will simply be a result, . of our brains having evolved for life on this one little planet and thus being inevitably limited.²
-- Excerpts from "Confessions of a Lonely Atheist" by Natalie Angier
MORALITY FROM THE LAW OF PHYSICS/NATURE:
"religious naturalism," a profound appreciation of the genuine workings of nature, conjoined with a commitment to preserving that natural world in all its staggering, interdependent splendor.
"The Sacred Depths of Nature," Ursula Goodenough, a cell biologist
³The
stewardship of environment is a domain on the near side of metaphysics where
all reflective persons can surely find common ground. For what, in the final
analysis, is morality but the command of conscience seasoned by a rational
examination of consequences? And what, is a fundamental precept but one that
serves all generations? An enduring environmental ethic will aim to preserve
not only the health and freedom of our species, but access to the world in
which the human spirit was born.²
--- E. O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life.
³Maybe
we skeptics, rather than being immoral, are instead part of humanity's
exploration of a more encompassing morality?²
Paul
Grobstein
Professor of Biology
Bryn Mawr College