In addition, it's very obvious that morality among cultures and individuals is a fluid concept. We aren't born more or lass moral than others. I was born in the US to educated and affluent parents who taught me from a very young age that I was lucky as hell and that I should never forget the struggles others face to attain what I had by accident of birth; this indoctrination forms much of my moral code.
Those born to other cultures may think it's fine- or even moral- to marry child brides, or kill people for religious infractions, or eat their dead. These things are repellent to me because of how I was raised, not because of who I fundamentally was when I was born, or because of what a given holy book says. The fact that morality is an ever-changing concept defined by tribal cultural inheritance is self-evident.
And to add to that, it's completely clear that neurobiology and chemistry play a huge role in accepting the moral code of the tribe- brain damage can alter one's ability to feel sympathy for others, or control impulses.
There simply is no one human moral code, and there are many moral codes decreed by various holy books. Everyone thinks their moral code is best. Arguing from a utilitarian standpoint is more useful in the world as it is (rather than as we want it to be), in my view, than arguing from theology.
Those born to other cultures may think it's fine- or even moral- to marry child brides, or kill people for religious infractions, or eat their dead. These things are repellent to me because of how I was raised, not because of who I fundamentally was when I was born, or because of what a given holy book says. The fact that morality is an ever-changing concept defined by tribal cultural inheritance is self-evident.
And to add to that, it's completely clear that neurobiology and chemistry play a huge role in accepting the moral code of the tribe- brain damage can alter one's ability to feel sympathy for others, or control impulses.
There simply is no one human moral code, and there are many moral codes decreed by various holy books. Everyone thinks their moral code is best. Arguing from a utilitarian standpoint is more useful in the world as it is (rather than as we want it to be), in my view, than arguing from theology.
