How do you decide what is morally right or wrong?

Question

I'm not a religious person and don't give a hang about those of your that will quote a religious point of view.
How do you decide between right and wrong without religion?

What I was looking for were cultural and anthropological answers.
How do people arrive at what is collectively considered a right or a wrong considering the circumstances.

going fo is on the track

Answer 1

Interesting question. I guess situations can be classified as moral/ethical or legal or everything else/individual.

Since we're all us members of society, we very frequently defer in judgements to those who may be better qualified to make a decision. For example, an attorney can advise you if this or that is legal. But sometimes it takes a judge to make the final decision, no?

Religious leaders have the authority to render decisions based on their understanding of the religious aspects. Thus The Ayatollah renders judgements that carry the weight of his position. Similarly, the pope issues decrees. So do the various other heads of different religions.

But this is about you and your sense of right and wrong. And that takes us to psychology and anthropology. Different things fall into different categories in our consciousness. We all have an innate sense of right and wrong. Is it "wrong" to take someone's money? Sure. But if you find a nickel on the ground, is it "wrong" to just keep it? That's one kind of individual decision. Is it wrong to take another life? Well, in most circumstances, yes. But what about in self-defense?

On a less-significant scale, what happens when you experience something that bothers you, something you wish you hadn't done? We've all been there- shouted at the children or taken the last candy out of the box or even drunk milk out of the carton. These conflicts, because they are relatively small, don't create much guilt.

Doing more serious things- infidelity, theft, anorexia, etc.- these things are frequently easier to resolve with the help of a counselor. Psychology and religion overlap, but do have some mutually exclusive territories.

One person said to use your gut. Not bad. I may not agree with your position, but if you feel OK with it, then it's OK with you. Consensus among members of your society doesn't always bring an imprimatur of "right" or "wrong."

Good question.

Answer 2

The same way i decide between right and wrong without the legal system.

I usually weigh it by how many people are going to suffer because of the actions taking place.

Answer 3

If you're an adult & you don't know by now, you never will. I used to be religious. Now I'm an agnostic. My motto is: Do no harm, help those you can, don't judge others.

Answer 4

fine if you're not religous then just go with what your gut tells you. just think about the consequences of your actions, whether it be legal or you'll feel terrible on the inside about it.

Answer 5

You read the Bible.

End of story.