Without religion of any sort on what do you base your values, morals, and ethics? Meaning, how do you justify your stance on ethical issues?

I think there are 4 general views.
1. relativism
2. emotivism
3. intuitionism

the first 3 are based more on gut feelings or instinct based and look inward

4. definism...looks outside of us, whether it's looking to the Bible or another ethical guide, for example


The problem as I see it is with the first 3 we can be more easily swayed. What may be the right choice now may not be the right choice in the same or similar situation tomorrow. There is also the danger of a society taking relativism to the extreme, and generally a sociopath does, "well it felt right at the time" or some such comment is most often heard folowing their capture.

How's that song go? You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything?

I have much more respect for someone that I disagree with if they can point to a reasonable explanation about why they think what they think than I do for someone I agree with that can't justify why they believe what they believe.