heirtothewind
VIP Member
The question I pose for discussion is whether morality [our sense of right and wrong] is inherent in us from birth or indoctrinated in us by society.
Conscience is the inner voice that warns us someone might be watching [H. L. Mencken]. I am inclined to this cynical view of human nature. Morality is neither innate nor divinely inspired. Morality is governed by laws which reflect the morals of the society in which we live.
In law, for example, a person is not guilty by reason of insanity if, because of mental disease or defect, he cannot distinguish LEGAL right from wrong. Thus, if a person knows that killing is legally wrong, even though he operates under a delusion that it is morally right [eg, to kill prostitutes], he cannot avail himself of the insanity defense. The courts hold that criminal laws reflect the morals of society; thus, knowing that an act is legally wrong assumes knowing that the act is morally wrong.
The bible [eg, the ten commandments] is not the source of morality but only a reflection of the morality of ancient jews and christians. The law code of Hammurabi pre-dates the ten commandments Moses gave to his people. ''Thou shalt not kill'' is not a universal inherent precept, as the Mayans practiced human sacrifice.
Morality changes with society. Slavery was once embraced in American society but is now abhorrent. Divorce was once taboo but now is commonplace. Were morality inherent in us from birth, then society would remain stagnate.
For these reasons, I believe morality is a product of societal indoctrination.
I invite your opinion.
Conscience is the inner voice that warns us someone might be watching [H. L. Mencken]. I am inclined to this cynical view of human nature. Morality is neither innate nor divinely inspired. Morality is governed by laws which reflect the morals of the society in which we live.
In law, for example, a person is not guilty by reason of insanity if, because of mental disease or defect, he cannot distinguish LEGAL right from wrong. Thus, if a person knows that killing is legally wrong, even though he operates under a delusion that it is morally right [eg, to kill prostitutes], he cannot avail himself of the insanity defense. The courts hold that criminal laws reflect the morals of society; thus, knowing that an act is legally wrong assumes knowing that the act is morally wrong.
The bible [eg, the ten commandments] is not the source of morality but only a reflection of the morality of ancient jews and christians. The law code of Hammurabi pre-dates the ten commandments Moses gave to his people. ''Thou shalt not kill'' is not a universal inherent precept, as the Mayans practiced human sacrifice.
Morality changes with society. Slavery was once embraced in American society but is now abhorrent. Divorce was once taboo but now is commonplace. Were morality inherent in us from birth, then society would remain stagnate.
For these reasons, I believe morality is a product of societal indoctrination.
I invite your opinion.