Source of Morality

     Morality is an instinctive and adapted quality. Human beings are, by nature, empathetic. But it takes shaping to create sympathy. Morals can change depending on the situation in which people are raised, culturally, personally and traditionally. These can affect what people think are moral or immoral. One the basis that morality is a natural instinct to an extent, there are numerous examples that can be used to show that basic human nature is to empathize or simply following ones lead. One example would be infants crying; one baby cries and if heard, the other baby will also start crying. On the other end of this spectrum we have to ask the question of what is the standrad of morality and what is its' source?

     I beliebe that the source of the standard of morality is something that has to be taught and adapted and influenced by surrounding society. This is an extremely cultural standard. I can not give specific examples because I have not lived in enough different cultures to understand. However this statement can be exemplified by saying what is considered correct or not entirely depends on the situation and society in which you were raised. I was raised in a democratic, atheist family with certain ideals. And although I might not agree completely with their ideas, I can honestly see the influence they had in my life, my ideals and my morals. 

    It can further be argued that morality can not be learned or adapted. That it is solely a self-learned standard and are mostly human nature. I personally do not agree with this statement, I think that it is a combination of everything that creates peoples morals. The only extension that I feel I could agree with the previous statement is in the case of mental disease or defect.  Specifically in the idea of sacrifice. The belief that murder of an innocent human being is justified because "God made me do it", when really in a different society it would be viewed as murder.