The source and measure of morality is human nature. Morality is a reflection of what each of us expects for ourselves. It is a function of human consciousness and our own self awareness. Without self awareness there would be no morality.
Many arguments about morality are based on the false dilemma fallacy. Otherwise known as the either/or fallacy. Either right and wrong are absolute or it’s relative, a free for all depending on what society feels is OK at the time.
First of all absolute morality is neither universal nor absolute. Absolute morality is relative to what a specific segment of society (Christians, Muslims, Hindus) believes. And these moralities are a reflection of the underlying society that gave birth to these belief systems. Absolute morality based on belief in a god is a circular argument because mankind created these gods.
The false dilemma argument about morality ignores the best explanation of morality. That beliefs about right and wrong are universal to all societies throughout recent human history. Theft, murder, rape, lying are universal wrongs because these principles are what each person, each member of society expects for themselves.
Sure there are probably some outliers who don’t mind being murdered or raped or being lied to etc. But they are the exception. Humanity is similar enough that morality is a consistent expectation for enough people to be considered universal.
Morality is a function of human consciousness. We don’t talk about animals being moral or immoral. It’s OK for them to kill and eat each other because they aren’t self aware. But humans are self aware and we have expectations for ourselves as a result of our self awareness. We expect not to be killed, raped, lied to, or stolen from.
These universal expectations have be summed up in what has become known as the golden rule.
- Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
- Treat others as you expect to be treated.
- Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
The golden rule has been around for a long time. Thousands of years before the bible which incorporates it into it’s teachings.
Morality is a reflection of what people expect for themselves. If an immoral act like the Holocaust happens you don’t have to consult the Bible or the Koran to know that it’s wrong (absolute morality). And you certainly don’t ask the perpetrator if it’s right or wrong (relative morality). You ask the victims who were kidnapped, starved, striped naked, and herded into the gas chambers and they will tell you if it’s right or wrong because the victims are the source and measure of morality.