What is the basis of morality?

Question

This study: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070529/LIFESTYLE03/705290323/1040 sheds a lot of light on what we think about morality.

In testing, when subjects are asked to think about giving to charity and donating money for good causes, a very primitive part of their brain lights up, that is similar to hunger and the sex drive.

In many studies on animals, over and over again, we see that they are compassionate and altruistic. How does this impact our ideas about the nature of morality? Is it divine or does it evolve naturally?

Answer 1

I doubt very much that altruism runs all that deep in that many species, or that it is a particularly primitive aspect of the brain.

Science writers always do a disservice to their readers when they write like this. During the course of human evolution, many parts of our brain were modified as our current characteristics were selected for over time. No part of the brain was exempt from this, whether it was a newly arrived portion of the brain (such as the Broca's brain area) or a longstanding section of the brain... in this case the limbic system.

The writer I think has given you the erroneous impression that this behaviour is longstanding among many animals. However, that's not what the science behind it says - it says only that the response is in the region of the brain where emotions take place, the limbic system, which just so happens to be an older region that all vertebrates have. It is entirely reasonable to think that the emotion of empathy itself is a fairly recent development, and not present in pre-hominoidae versions of the limbic system. (Although evolutionary convergence may have produced something like it among canines.)

In Richard Leakey's "Origin" series of books, he demonstrates quite clearly that human evolution has been a history of the development of compassion and empathy in a way not found elsewhere in nature. Non-human primates are not able to bring themselves to share in the way we do. Sexual dimorphism in humans became reduced in Homo Erectus to near modern levels, meaning that males were not competing for mates anymore, but had probably begun cooperating more than competing. Language had emerged by the time of Homo Heidelbergensis (since their ears were adapted to hearing in the range where human speech is found), and at this time, deliberate burial begins to appear.

That morality has a biological component should be considered unremarkable by either theists or atheists: we are physical beings, and should not be surprised that various organs - particularly our thinking organ - are involved in our various behaviours.

As someone who holds a view of theistic evolution, I think it is entirely plausible to say that morality and empathy are both natural and divine. I believe God ordered the universe toward good. It should not surprise that as we became conscious, we found ourselves aware of this orientation, too. It is both natural and yet entirely what God intended.

Answer 2

The Basis of morality is the phrase of GOD. There is not any argument with atheist being upstanding residents The Ten Commandments are the foundation for all our legislation the anomaly come whilst it's stated there's no God however His legislation are the basis or now not (a few are in prison) of atheists which can be upstanding residents.

Answer 3

If there ever were a term that is synonymous with common sense, that almost surely would be "The Golden Rule." And "self-preservation" could be a close second. Most people have common sense, and automatically practice the Golden Rule without giving it a second thought. Regardless of their religions, including atheism.

It's instinctual for animals to do many things, and that's just as true of humans. (Although we have more reasoning power, and thus we can consciously suppress or alter some of those, if we wish.) Certain traits and ways we do things are ones we simply are born with. And I think that is the real foundation of that which we regard to be "morality."

Answer 4

morality is a result of social qualities in a species, as soon as members of hte same species atart working together they are going to have to determine what is acceptible behavious in the group and what is not.

in humans, this is usually tied to norms and values, which is a product of culture, and therefor morality is different in many nations. there are a lot of similarities though. like most nations thinking that murder is bad (although this is not 100% fullproof, did you see jesuscamp?) Adultery, Stealing etc are other examples.

in animals we see the same thing. Piranahs bite eachother in the tail if they think another piranah is taking to many bites. wolves and lions seem to have similar traits, a strong hierarcy about who gets to eat first, of someone gets gready they get slapped, bitten or scratched

i think this is actually a trait that goes back very far in social animals. and thats why it might seem to be located in the part of the brain with all the primitive responses. they help us survive in the world.

Answer 5

Out on a limb here: I believe it is enlightened self-interest. There is direct self-interest, as when you do the right thing to avoid being in trouble, making enemies, etc. And there is the wider vision of your own self-interest that perceives serving the needs of your community means you get to live in a nicer community, you foster the idea of cooperation and compassion, etc. That to me is the basis.

What you seem to be asking is the origin. I have also heard it said that compassion is essentially hard-wired into our brains. Testing even very little babies, doing things like picking up something a person dropped and handing it to them, offering food to someone else, etc., it has become apparent that it is probably an instinct. Has obvious survival value for the species, of course, but that would mean believing in evolution, so . . .

Answer 6

I have no idea yet I believe morality is tightly linked to survival.

Being sexually loose is a sure will to pick up some things that will make you feel like you are burning from the inside, not to mention unwanted children.

Being a liar makes people trust you less.

Being a thief a sure way not to be trust and a qucik way to loose some life or limbs.

I hope you get my point.

Answer 7

Elephants are known for their love of family and others in the group. I believe that morality is partially common sense that has evolved over thousands of years. How man thousands? Certainly a lot more than 6000. LMAO!!!

Our parents teach us right from wrong as well as society and even TV.

Answer 8

Morality is set on guilt. Altruism is self-justified. They are two diferent concepts. You can't have a virtue, without considering the appropriate vice, and that requires a judgement that implies guilt. Charity is free, free of guilt, free of motivation, free of organic links.

Answer 9

I suppose the gene responsible for that part of the bran was developed around the same time proto-humans began to live in groups. It wasn't much surprising actually.

Answer 10

Well morality is a natural occurence in humans.

it is not given to us from a diety. though some would like to think that they are more moral because of thier diety.

Demosthenes