Why be good?

[Randy Carson]

What I am asking is: what is the BASIS for objective moral behavior? Where does it come from?

You are begging the question here a little. There is no basis for objective morality if there is no objective morality. However, there is a sort of objective human morality which stems from our makeup as a social animal, our capability of empathy (which most of us share), and our very real desire for a stable  and peaceful society. It is not objective beyond human standards, and it doesn't need to be.

I certainly didn't intend to beg the question. Are you saying that there is no objective morality?

Female genital mutilation is bad here but okay there, and who are we to judge others? That kind of thing?

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What I am asking is: what is the BASIS for objective moral behavior? Where does it come from?

Firstly, there is none. 'Objective' moral behaviour doesn't exist. All morality is subjective. So if we correct your question to 'What is the basis for moral behaviour?', you've already been given the answer. I'll repeat & simplify:

The basis for all moral behaviour, like everything else in our evolutionary development, is survival. Humans developed as a social species because those who behaved socially survived and reproduced more effectively thus propagating the genes for social behaviour. Further along human development, those societies which developed ethical standards (commonly referred to as social contracts, the precursors of law) survived better because they increased the effectiveness of social behaviour.

That's the basis, that's where morality comes from, all of it. No gods required.

Thank you, Ben.

That's a very clear, straightforward answer. Now, given the fact that we've spent what? 3 million years or so evolving as a species under the "survival of the fittest" paradigm, when did this shift to the "let's work together for the common good" approach that you're suggesting actually occur?

I'm not convinced this is the reason for "good" behavior, but I'm interested your opinion.