Building Upon a Foundation

Although the basis of one’s morality is innate, changes in this code of ethics do occur throughout an individual’s life as a result of external factors. This is proven specifically through the implications of the theory of natural selection and the degree of influence which societal norms have on different morals.

The theory of natural selection suggests that those with traits that allow them to better survive are more likely to reproduce and therefore, pass these survival traits onto the next generation. As societal and environmental changes occur, those who are able to adapt to better survive are, again, more likely to have children to which they will pass on these traits. Therefore, all are born with a certain instincts that allow for their survival. These instincts, however, are not always necessarily selfish or immoral as often believed to be; due to the growing trend of selflessness being rewarded in today’s global society, altruistic actions and self sacrifice often contribute to greater benefits that lead to better survival in the long term. In modern society, this concept is exemplified by certain reasons for which some youth choose to volunteer such as to appear like a better individual to employers or university application reviewers. These individuals do indeed help others but their reasons for doing so are less for the greater good, but rather for personal benefit, better opportunities in the future and ultimately, increased ease of survival. In this way, the theory of natural selection supports the argument that humans are born with both moral and immoral dispositions.

The balance between moral and immoral innate beliefs obviously varies depending on the individual and the genetic makeup of their parents. However, the degree to which these beliefs are ultimately developed and engrained into an individual’s code of ethics relies heavily upon the societal and cultural norms which this individual is exposed to. Morals such as that it is wrong to steal or cheat are learned from the consequences that exist if such actions are committed, consequences which are part of the laws and rules which allow for order in society; at times when there are no consequences for these actions, however, such as during disasters when chaos ensues and individuals can loot stores without being caught, even normally law abiding citizens often choose to steal. This proves that the reason why humans deter from acts such as stealing are more a result of the consequences that society associates with them and less a result of predisposed morals. On the other hand, more universal morals such as those that involve the life or death of individuals are less influenced by society. Killing, for example, is condemned in all the holy books of major religions that may have significantly different viewpoints on other issues. 

In conclusion, predisposed instincts are the basis for an individual’s morality; therefore, if their innate beliefs are equally good and bad, societal norms will be the sole cause for a person’s morality or immorality. However, since this is not the case and the balance between the good and bad in the predisposed beliefs of individuals varies, the degree to which a person’s morality is innate or learned ultimately depends on the individual.