As sentient creatures do we have a responsibility to behave ethically for reasons beyond the religious?

Question

if so, why? if not, why not?

Answer 1

Yes, we all have an innate sense of right and wrong.  Whether we chose to abide by or deny;  is our choice.  And so are the consequences.

Answer 2

We're "sentient creatures", & responsibilities are mostly "forced upon"!

So I have no reason for a reasoning HERE!

Answer 3

No.  Why would we be born with responsibilities.  We are just as all of the other creatures of the Universe.  We are born to live, and die.  I see no responsibility in that.  

But I do believe we should fix our mistakes.  But we are not required.

Answer 4

We have a responsibility, I believe, to ourselves and to the others who share this planet, to leave it in better shape than we found it.  To make the paths of others easier and happier.  There is nothing religious in this and, in fact, it would appear that religion only muddies the waters of good intentions and actions.  

Answer 5

I believe, being sentient creatures, we behave ethically only when such actions will return some good of their own. After all, do we not help others to recieve that kind feeling that we've done something good? Are we not in fact, prehaps unknowingly, taking something as small as a little emotion when we do so called, "selfless" acts?

If we did not feel any better after helping anyone, why should we bother doing so? Do you not apologize to relief yourself of guilt, prehaps not of the agruement but to make the other person feel not at fault?

Even when we help our enemies, do we not have a small feeling inside that is relieved when we do so? And do we not expect that prehaps, they won't be enemies any longer?

Just my personal belief ^^. Feel free to disagree, but please don't get mad ^^'.

Answer 6

I believe the reason that we create religion is because we are sentient creatures.

Answer 7

No.  Being sentient only means we are aware of ourselves.  That awareness does not imply any responsibility.

Responsibility, ethics are social constructs, end products of civilization.

Answer 8

Religion is because people are desperate to find answers to life questions. I find that there is no responsibility in the world besides following good morals (stamped by society and individuals would realize it). Everything else comes off of good morals and theoretically, it could lead to a lapse of bad morals and going off track. All part of the life package. Life is a learning experience. Why? The real question is Why Not?

Answer 9

Ethics has little to do with religion. Spinoza put ethics upon a scientific basis, and the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill is practical: They constantly ask, what is best for the greatest number of people?

Morality tells us what is right and wrong. Ethics is about choosing a better right over a lesser right action.

As for humans and nature, with power comes responsibility. This is an ancient adage. Since we are the most powerful animal, we have a responsibility to protect at least those species that are in danger of being exterminated. You can of course refuse this and be a pig, but a Human Being will be humane.

Answer 10

Of course.  For a sentient being can be religious or nonreligious and really has nothing to do with religion at all.  It is more about being aware of ones self and how one interacts with society that is defined as a sentient being.