...that we developed our sense of compassion out of self-preservation. When we participate in destructive behavior toward others, it creates an environment that is much harder to thrive in. When we participate in kindness and nurturing toward others, we create an environment that is safer and more supportive of our own needs. I have no belief in a creative "being", but I do see many creative forces: nature, compassion, joy, resilience... Sometimes I have a need to "pray" even though I'm an atheist. When I do, I pray to the loving and benevolent forces of the universe, of which I am one, and can therefore know that I am not praying to some fairy godfather in the sky. I have no idea of its effectiveness other than giving me momentary comfort--as you say, connection to the spiritual.
As far as ethics we actually practice, I strongly suspect that humans are nothing but potential and every decision we make, no matter how tiny, no matter how conscious, determines which potentials in each of us will be developed. You and I would likely have great difficulty performing the unethical behaviors that TSF performs daily, because we haven't developed our potential for such unethical behavior. But it comes naturally to him--he's practiced it his entire life--it's his comfort zone. Thinking about it like this makes me very aware of how the seemingly small acts of kindness or meanness I perform contribute to who I am as a person. I get to consciously choose who I will be. That ability is only available to humans it seems, and that ability carries great responsibility. That's how I see it anyway.
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