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Best by what measure? Best for whom?

Those are the eternal questions, aren't they? Every culture has come up with different answers. Every individual must answer to his own conscience. But there are some universals...probably because behavior has a genetic base. All animal species exhibit common traits throughout their range - even if that range is very, very large.

The problem is that if you try to leave the answers to cultures and individual consciences, instead of trying to discover the answers which are simply right, there are individuals who believe the answer is, "Best for me, according to my pleasures." These people exist in all cultures. (Not to mention various cultural practices.) Are they wrong? If so, how do you know? If not, how can you claim to have explained morality in any sense, with or without the supernatural?

The problem is that if you try to leave the answers to cultures and individual consciences, instead of trying to discover the answers which are simply right...

I don't know how to do that - except by refering to personal experience, history, law, and science - and I don't believe anyone else does either. That's where you and I part company.

there are individuals who believe the answer is, "Best for me, according to my pleasures." These people exist in all cultures.

That's right. And they cause trouble is all cultures...because their short-sighted selfishness undermines community, law, family, continuity; things which are valued in all cultures.

Are they wrong? If so, how do you know? If not, how can you claim to have explained morality in any sense, with or without the supernatural?

I can act in accord with my conscience. A culture act in accord with its norms. That's the best that can be done. Here again you and I part company.

A.J.Armitage wrote:

-- how can you claim to have explained morality in any sense, with or without the supernatural?

We all learn basic morality [the golden rule] at our mothers breast..
-- Don't bite the tit that feeds you.

All other variations on morality follow.. Nothing supernatural about it.