How is morality defined? What is right and wrong?

[gseeker]

So I just had an argument online where someone said God defines morality. Obviously I had to argue that point but how do you define right and wrong, how is the conscious developed, and what is morality exactly?Is there such a thing as right and wrong?

[idav]

Morality is defined by what the truth is. If everyone just knew what would happen would they think twice?

[fallingblood]

Originally Posted by gseeker

So I just had an argument online where someone said God defines morality. Obviously I had to argue that point but how do you define right and wrong, how is the conscious developed, and what is morality exactly?Is there such a thing as right and wrong?

Morality is subjective, so to define it can be quite difficult. I would say at the very basic level, one's culture or society defines morality. It does so in part by making laws and rules. In addition, people create additional standards in which they teach their children and their communities through different institutions (church, schools, get togethers, etc.).

As for whether or not something is right or wrong, I do think there are a few standards there. Murder is generally something that is considered wrong in most societies. It makes sense as we are social creatures who depend on others. But in general, right or wrong is a subjective matter, as morality does change throughout the ages.

[Pegg]

it is the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. Mankind have different standards of morality, so you are not likely to get a definite set of morals that everyone agrees to. I feel that its for this reason that taking our morals from a higher source is wise. It prevents mankind from squabbling over what is right and wrong and gives us all the same goals to strive towards...so it is unifying to have one law maker rather then an 'every man for himself' scenario (which is what we currently have)

[gseeker]

Originally Posted by fallingblood

Morality is subjective, so to define it can be quite difficult. I would say at the very basic level, one's culture or society defines morality. It does so in part by making laws and rules. In addition, people create additional standards in which they teach their children and their communities through different institutions (church, schools, get togethers, etc.).

As for whether or not something is right or wrong, I do think there are a few standards there. Murder is generally something that is considered wrong in most societies. It makes sense as we are social creatures who depend on others. But in general, right or wrong is a subjective matter, as morality does change throughout the ages.

I agree with you. The Christian is arguing that he has a God given conscience so that deep down inside everyone has an idea of what is right and what is wrong. My argument is that a person's conscience is defined by the society that a person is raised in. Even murder can't be considered wrong though if all morality is subjective it can only be considered wrong in the society the act is performed and since the moral views of society changes over time morality can only be defined through temporal reference.

[gseeker]

Originally Posted by Pegg

it is the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. Mankind have different standards of morality, so you are not likely to get a definite set of morals that everyone agrees to. I feel that its for this reason that taking our morals from a higher source is wise. It prevents mankind from squabbling over what is right and wrong and gives us all the same goals to strive towards...so it is unifying to have one law maker rather then an 'every man for himself' scenario (which is what we currently have)

That only works if the society has a God like influence and if everyone can agree that said moral standards are from said God. Some say that God has given us an conscience that defines what is right and wrong to the exclusion of society. However, if that were true how would you explain feral children who after being found has been shown to have no moral values.

[Awoon]

Jesus described his God as amoral, when he said be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect, letting his sun shine and rain fall on the good and the evil.

So the believers of Jesus' words can start Right There.

[jarofthoughts]

Originally Posted by gseeker

So I just had an argument online where someone said God defines morality. Obviously I had to argue that point but how do you define right and wrong, how is the conscious developed, and what is morality exactly?Is there such a thing as right and wrong?

As has been mentioned by others, morality is mostly a subjective thing.
Sure, for the vast majority most of our moral codes and ideals are shared with those who spend the most time with and with the society we grew up in, but many of these translate poorly from society to society.
There are, however, certain standards that almost certainly all functioning human societies share, a sort of baseline if you like, containing such things as 'don't commit murder', 'don't steal' and 'don't rape' which can be said to be, if not objective, then at least universal.
There is also the sense of morality that stems from reciprocal altruism, which is a sort of social contract, elements of which can be found in all social mammals that we have so far investigated, including South American vampire bats, making an evolutionary basis for certain parts of our morality likely.
In either case, there is no reason to invoke a deity in order to explain our morals, and, in fact, the vast differences in social codes and morality observed from society to society actually speaks counter to a god-given moral.

[Chisti]

There is no such thing as morality. It is just a stick with which to beat the poor and the weak. Even ideas like 'do not steal' or 'do not kill' can be interpreted differently - they simply help society stay afloat. It is all a matter of convenience.

[fallingblood]

Originally Posted by gseeker

I agree with you. The Christian is arguing that he has a God given conscience so that deep down inside everyone has an idea of what is right and what is wrong. My argument is that a person's conscience is defined by the society that a person is raised in. Even murder can't be considered wrong though if all morality is subjective it can only be considered wrong in the society the act is performed and since the moral views of society changes over time morality can only be defined through temporal reference.

Being a Christian myself, and having had a similar discussion as you have had, I have run into the same type of statements. The biggest problem is that no one can really even agree what God is supposedly saying. We can take the issue of same-sex marriages right now. We can find Christians on both sides claiming that the Bible, or God is on their side.

So I would largely agree with your stance as well.