Do you think morality is a natural, inherited genetic trait, or something that must be taught for it to exist?

[Deckard1856]

It's both a natural and learnt behaviour.Inherited genetic traits don't cover behaviours.It's natural, inasmuch as a percentage of morality is instinctual, "pack" behaviour. The more complicated the society, the more complicated the "rules", and thus, the need to learn certain behaviours. Morality remains, at it's most basic level, though, an extension of a primitive survival mechanism.

[BigGuy3601329]

We are a product of our environment and we learn morality from society. We equate our morality with that of the community, thus community standards.

[Ratatosk]

Morality is a way huge topic.In essence it is a social construct - or at least a socially agreed understanding of human choice/ decision making.Genetic inheritence and species memory are two different concepts. Genetic inheritence cannot directly contribute to morality, but may influence an individual's psychological and mental faculties. Species memory will play some role at a subconscious level in moral choices made by an individual.The choices and decisions we make are the result of brain processes at both a cortical (conscious) and sub-cortical (instinctive) level. As we have extremely well developed powers of reasoning, we are able to analyse our choices when taking a course of action and consider many variables - knock on effects which concern other people and animals as well as ourselves. The natural order of things is that there is less energy available than is needed to sustain every living creature on Earth - therfore some must go hungry and some must die. We are genetically programmed to want to survive - and therefore eat and reproduce. Some choose to sacrifice themselves for others, though.Philosohers and psychologists have considered this question for many years and not really been able to answer the question. In fact, there are many more questions arising from it. Some famous ones areo we only act through fear?Is there a truly altruistic act?Are we inherently lazy?

[BwiansVirginMum-s0284]

Morality is a combination of logical things that benefit humanity, don't kill, don't steal etc...but also a reslult of societal learning.I lived in the Pacific Islands, and they do have a different notion of morality, but still understand that killing is wrong along with other things that upset village life.

[OldTimerToo9340]

It exists, but it has to be taught as the difference between right and wrong. Because morality involves complex issues of ethics and scruples, I believe it is beyond the understanding of younger children, who live in a more simplistic world of black and white / right and wrong / yes and no.I believe that once a child can start understanding the concepts involved in scruples (and the game can offer some good examples in a fun teaching environment), then they can learn how to apply the earlier concepts of right and wrong.Morality is largely social in nature, which takes it out of the realm of black and white or right and wrong. Society, to a large extent, determines the nature of a person's decision-making process. Issues like political correctness come into play, whether we agree or not. What may have been acceptable at one time, may no longer be acceptable.It isn't something that is inherently known by anyone.

[DonO8550]

It's a God given part of our character.

[fantime7641]

all born Wit it.

[AcidZebraaskana-the-ist4109]

Of course it has to be taught. Have you ever looked at kids? But we share the capacity for what we consider 'moral behavior' with many mammals. Probably because we've always looked to groups for survival.

[SimonC1564]

I think morality is a mix between natural and learned. It's likely more due to learned behaviour.Even little toddlers need to be taught it's not nice to push people down or hit them. They don't seem to understand until they're taught, even though they wouldn't want to be pushed down or hit themselves.Really when it comes down to it, much of morality is just the continuation of tried-and-true methods the previous generation lived by.For example, in North America it is considered immoral for related individuals (like cousins) to marry. In certain other regions of the world, it is an accepted and relatively common practice.That raises the question of if we didn't have laws surrounding it in North America, and we weren't told it was wrong, would we consider it to be? That's an example of learned morality.

[englishgirl8558]

oh the old Nature vs Nurture debate...I think that some morals are normally instinctive such as they refraining from peodophilia and murder but others are learnt through others and society...I do not think that religion is a necessary instrument