Whatever your religious persuasion, if you believe that that the universe is governed by benign forces, at some point you have to explain why there is so much suffering, misfortune and misery in the world. Julian Baggini benignexplainforce share on social
Being virtuous is wonderful thing, but feeling virtuous is a shortcut to vice. Julian Baggini feltshortcutthing Change image and share on social
I maintain the importance of an absolute prohibition against torture, while acknowledging that even absolute prohibitions can sometimes be broken. If that is a contradiction, it is a contradiction that ethics has to embrace, or else it becomes like glass: hard, clear, but fatally inflexible. Julian Baggini absoluteacknowledgebreak share on social
Atheists have to live with the knowledge that there is no salvation, no redemption, no second chances. Lives can go terribly wrong in ways that can never be put right. Julian Baggini atheistchanceknowledge Change image and share on social
One reason why it has become harder to promote the beneficial side of emotions such as anger is that the moral vocabulary of good and bad has been replaced by the self-help lexicon of positive and negative thinking. Julian Baggini angerbadbeneficial share on social
I don't think anyone who genuinely embraced sincerity, charity and modesty could be intolerant or divisive. Julian Baggini charitydivisiveembrace Change image and share on social
Nature deals the cards without thought or care, and there is no point in blaming the dealer. All we can do is make the best of the hands we have been dealt. Julian Baggini blamecardcare Change image and share on social
The optimist underestimates how difficult it is to achieve real change, believing that anything is possible and it's possible now. Only by confronting head-on the reality that all progress is going to be obstructed by vested interests and corrupted by human venality can we create realistic programmes that actually have a chance of success. Julian Baggini achievebelievechance share on social
Being a good neighbour is about compassion, which is as warm-blooded as justice is cool-headed. Julian Baggini bloodcompassioncool Change image and share on social
True virtue would never liken its rewards to points on a loyalty card, not because it is its own reward, but because it is not something we should practice to accrue future benefits. Julian Baggini accruebenefitcard Change image and share on social