That is more of an economic question than a moral one in the current neoliberal climate; as public works and expenditure on projects such as roads, causing a deficit, would actually be beneficial in preventing the destruction of money. But on a broad scale, I would argue the state should be kept as small and limited as possible.

The government shouldn't be in the business of prescribing to you what is right (just like a religion would do). If the government told you that killing off the minorities was morally right would you follow it?

If you require a hierarchical power like government to tell you what is right then that is a terrible thing. Shouldn't one be able to judge these things himself and come to one's own conclusions about what is moral?

Matters of force, fraud and violence should be dealt with by the law, but matters of conscience (such as drugs, prostitution and homosexual marriage as mentioned in the OP) are matters for the individual to decide on. As long as your drug use or use of prostitutes doesn't harm anyone else, then it is up to you to conclude on its morality.

The government should play no role in morality; the government has no right to prescribe what is right and wrong on the citizenry. The idea of the government having a monopoly on both violence as well as what is seen to be right is abhorrent. Roles of the government should be limited to the protection of property rights and the prevention of force and/or fraud via the rule of law.

Indeed, the pursuit requires constant upkeep. Over a year, my views have drastically changed on a huge number of topics and, I'm sure, within the next year I shall have completely different views.

In response to the original question: yes, I would argue it is having a profound effect. My views on political philosophy, cultural and moral relativism and the truth of determinism cause me to perceive the world and events in a different way than I used to. I am not trying to "blow my own horn" here, but everything seems a lot less personal, less petty and more rational with my philosophical mindset.

Put simply: there is significantly less emotional judgement, vengefulness, retributive ideas or hate in my life. Nothing I say or do is personal or aimed at anyBODY in particular, rather aimed at discovering truth and approaching things with reason.

A cold view of existence. We are just biological machines striving simply to survive for the sake of survival; slowly marching toward an inescapable end.

One could posit that evolution didn't account for the fact that humans would end up yearning and searching for meaning, Gods and spirituality; rather than just cracking on and replicating our DNA...

Some enlightening points, thank you.

Do you have a background in mathematics and/or physics? If so, what is your opinion on multiverse theory; and its possible implications on the points made above?