Morality in Nature

[genkaus]

If that were so then you would see individual members of various species acting in ways that go contrary to their animal nature. That is never the case. Animals always act according to their animal instinct. For that matter, many humans seem incapable of transcending their own animal instincts. Only Man has the intellect capable of discerning moral principles and formulating codes of behaviour - be it the "golden rule", categorical imperatives, or simple taboos.

You are confusing 'nature' with 'instinct'. An entity cannot act contrary to its nature. Rather, in whatever way it acts, it is a part of its nature.

Therefore, when I say 'morality in nature' I do not mean 'morality in instinct'. And while animals mostly do act according to their instinct, they are still capable of transcending it - and that is especially true for humans.

Further, even if we equate nature with instinct, man's intellect would still be capable of formulating moral principles and codes of behavior on basis of those instincts and thus that morality would have its basis in nature/instinct.

Not in any meaningful sense related to choice and responsibility.

Having a basis in nature does not exclude choice and responsibility.