Quote:
Originally Posted by FlorenceArt
Morality is a human construct, but it has some biological basis. I'd say that it's probably about 1% instinct, and 99% education. The way I see it, it's similar to the differences between men and women.
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I only disagree with you on the ratio of social construct verses biological basis. I wouldn't attempt to put a number to it, but I think the biological basis of morality is much higher than 1%. It seems to me that as we have evolved to be social animals, the biological component urging us to behave in ways that allow us to fit in society must be greater. That being said, the aspects that are instilled in us by environment and experience aren't inconsiderable, either; the contributions of both nature and nurture are important. The particulars vary over time and from one culture to another, but there has never been a society to my knowledge that had no concept of right and wrong behavior toward other people like ourselves; and as the planet has shrunk, and as we come into contact with more and more people from other cultures on a face to face basis, that circle of "people like ourselves" expands, and our concept of morality shifts from tribalism to internationalism.
We have a natural revulsion against causing harm to fellow humans, and that's why during times of conflict, allegiance to our tribe tends to make us sink to de-humanizing the enemy with racial slurs and making accusations that the enemy is not like us, and doesn't place the same value on life as our side does. It's always easier to kill people when you convince yourself that they are sub-human.