This is a question that has been in debate for years. Does morality exist independent of religion? Is morality instinctual? Where did morality even come from? This question in particular piqued my interest largely due to how I was raised. I was raised in a Catholic household with Christian values. I attended a Catholic private school from Kindergarten to 12th grade, so religion has been a huge part of my education. In the past, I have heard that there would be no morality without a God and without religion. This statement struck me and confused me. I have had friends who are not religious, and yet they are still kind. If morality exists outside of religion, how could morally good atheists exist? There are people who do not believe in God but still choose to be good. I understand that we adopt many of our ideals from our parents and other surroundings, perhaps morality is learned? Is good and evil decided by the majority? Is morality merely hearsay? The most I have done is toy with this question in my brain. After all, for a large portion of my life, I wanted to be good to please God.
Additionally, morality influences our daily lives. Which laws do we vote for? Should I be kind to the person who just cut me off on the freeway? Do I give my friend my last piece of gum?
For these various reasons, I believe it would be quite telling to see where morality comes from. All humans are connected by their struggle with morality, and I would love to discover where it came from.
People:
- Professor Paul Kjellberg
- Professor Tony Barnstone
- Rory Bevins
Resources:
Our Brains are Wired for Morality: Evolution, Development, and Neuroscience
