where did moral judgment come from?
969363
Good day fryedaddy!\n\nI think you're asking how humans in general have a moral code, and not how I, flowery hedgehog woman, have one.  So we'll roll with that.\n\nOne way to think of it is that we "evolved" to have a moral code.  Societies that valued raping, murder, lying wouldn't be around long, would they?  So cultures that had a natural tendancy toward altruistic behavior would flourish - encouraing more societies with altruistic behavior.\n\nOnce we're evolved enough to form societies (and humans aren't the only ones with these kinds of "morals") beings realize that it is better for the group to live with these kinds of rules.  Beings even realize that one must suffer for the group to survive at times (and you see altruistic behavior in lots of critters besides just human).\n\nSo - moral behavior has to do with evolution, really!  It's the best way for the group to continue - to survive.  (And on a personal note, it gives me more meaning in my life)
25584
Any religion depends on a sort of "mob rule", or the will of a majority to impose an artificial "moral" code on its adherents. It is primarily a tool for political power, especially in creating destructive and dangerous policies that, as you point out, contradict the very meaning of acting as free-willed, happy human beings.\n\nMorality is not found in religion, and in fact is often contrary to it. Morality is simply an objective standard that says, "I live for my own sake and happiness, I recognize that right in every other human being, and I will act accordingly." Thus mutually beneficial relationships arise to create a truly self-sufficient and moral society.\n\nThis is what the U.S. has gotten away from but what the Founding Fathers wished for. After all, our country is founded on principles of freedom and the right to PURSUE (not be given) happiness. Freedom of religion is among these, but not the IMPOSITION of religion. Any "decline" in our society is due to an INCREASE in religion, not the reverse.
258264
I concur.  I feel like adherence to a prescribed moral principle removes personal responsibility.  I've felt that way (only perhaps less eloquent!) since I was eight.  If you are a good person because you adhere to the Bible / church values unquestioningly, you aren't actually a good person.  You are only truly good if you are the person choosing your own behavior.  I think fundamentally it boils down to manners - in greater or lesser dimensions.
459727
morality - is defined as society's guidelines for conduct and for right from wrong. They are otherwise known as ethics. Each society in the world has different ethical boundaries and moral grounds for their conduct and actions. ie: in Muslim countries, women are generally surpressed and must be robed in public, in some European countries, there are places where women are allowed to walk around fully nude with no issues.\nIt is up to each person to decide their own moral code and ethics rules, however, if you diverge too far from what society expects, you are judged and will be made accountable to society's rules.
499159
People now-a-days have no morals. It's sad really, a lot are influenced by media, and everyday life. But if people consciously know right from wrong, then it's all in their mind and their decision whether or not to do wrong-doing.
813275
By posing it as a morality issue, they are really only asking what people think about it.  They are checking their own feelings with the feelings of others, because it is oftentimes dangerous to express feelings which deviate substantial for the common viewpoint.  Understanding and empathizing with social norms allows one's perspective to be framed in acceptable ways.\n\nThey are also evaluating the basis for social norms for predictability and for consistency, while ensuring that their own basis is more firmly grounded.  They are looking for reasons to believe that others are rational in believing things which seem so irrational.\n\nInstead of asking "Is this good or bad .." questions, I tend to ask, "How do you feel about .. " or "Why do you feel [a certain way] .. " questions.  Before Yahoo Answers, I really didn't understand society in general, but now thanks to this wonderful service and good people, I'm starting to see some rationality and understand the popular basis for traditions and common practices and understandings; not that I agree with them, but at least now I can understand them.\n\nAnd then there are those who are just trying to make a statement and aren't teachable at all: Making statements appear as questions, dress wolves in sheep's clothing.
296947
Morality is basically a set of rules, or a code of conduct that enables civilized people to live together in a society.\nIt has nothing to do with a 'higher power' but primitive people would be unlikely to accept rules and regulations dictated by just another person, so god was invented to keep a journal of who's doing what to whom.
870561
If I didn't believe in God, or in a divine being with laws, what would motivate me to be good?\n\nWhere does morality come from in the absence of God? Would moral laws be designed just for the avoidance of chaos? What would be the point of doing good unto others if you got nothing in return?\n\nSociety itself would crumble into anarchy if no one believed.
1130162
That's a very good question. Are morals relative? Even the ones we think are basic--Thou shall not kill, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,Don't put that in your mouth;you don't know where it's been!--can be violated if one feels he/she has just cause, and whichever society that individual happens to exist in has differing opinions on whether or not his/her actions were justified.\nI suppose the only ethical constant I can think of would be the 5-second rule. Unless it's an Oreo. Then all bets are off.
460299
I agree.Man made concepts of good and evil.No matter how bad we may think something is,it is just an opinion,not the truth.No one can really determine what is really good or bad,they can only give their opinion.Many may say that God can judge what is Good or bad,but who can determine that the bible is the word of God?No one.\n\n\nEverything just is.\n\n"Nothing is Good or bad.It's our thoughts that make them so"\n\n-Shakespeare-\n\n\n"Who knows what is good and bad"\n\n-Lao tzu,the founder of Taoism\n\n\nThere is no absolute truth regarding morals.They are all opinions.
473647
i think that most of us humans forgot the word MORAL means because of the way we act at times\n\nif there is anybody out there that does not agree please ontact me we will discuss it
998783
gravesendian said it perfectly as far as I'm concerned.  I agree 100%.  \n\nMorality is a purely human construct.  What is "moral" or lawful in one part of the world, can be immoral or illegal in another part.  Take prosititution...in some countries it is legal, in others not.  What makes the difference?  Difference in human perception...difference in what is considered an acceptable standard of behaviour.
1105627
I would say morality is taking a backseat to technology.  I don't agree that a decline in morality is due to technological innovation, but you hit the nail on the head with the Rome comparison.  History tells us that society as a whole reaches a plateau, then starts to decline.  \nGood question.
1032275
I think you make some interesting points - words definitely have limitations for the definer and the interpretter.  Its always a rhetoric game and only real thieves hide behind definitions to justify their actions.  As for morality - this is not a truth - it is a social norm - and each society determines what is or isn't moral based on their level of consciousness.  As long as we are trapped in words - we are limiting our consciousness.
937841
In order to re-examine their morals, people would have to know why they believe what they do in the first place. Many individuals have adopted their morality from their environment (parents, culture, etc), and only give the "why" a casual thought. Critical thinking and reasoning are erroneously thought of as having no place in morality and religion. Culture and emotion rule.\n\nSecondly, I agree with other answerers that such a re-examination may require an adjustment to one's life(permanently?). It's better to live in blissful ignorance, either out of selfishness if sacrifice is required, out of vanity because they may be leaving the norm, or at minimum out of laziness (because change takes work).\n\nOne can only honestly stand for their morals if they have been examined in the first place.\n\nExcellent question!
321068
That our ethics and morals, the rules we live by in our societies, have developed specifically because they increase our survival and the survival of our children.  Those that act in a "moral" way-that do not kill others, that stay with the family to protect it, that aid others and make close freindships, are more likely to have the genes passed on, and that at least some of this attitude is genetic to begin with, so "moral" genes become predominant over time- Moral itself almost being defined as that which aids in survival of the society as a whole.
486041
The explanation is simple; we are instructed to have our own personal ethics. You see we are told to make a decision or “judgment” about the things we will be a part of in this life. We are told this so that we will have firm convictions and not get caught up in trends fads and cultural customs. Buy setting those convictions on the same higher plain as the 10 commandments will raise the Christian above the lax standards of mans law. Essentially we will be above that type of reproach. We are then given the assurance that if we are doing as we are told and the heathen next to us is rising to power by nefarious means we should not hold a hard place in our hearts because the day will come when that judgment will be administered by the same ruler we have already lived in submission to. Meaning their demise comes later as we all watch. As for multi-tasking imagine the non believer as they try beating the fire out on their head while screaming, holding their eyes into their places as they melt and swimming in a lake of fire.  WOW right.