Week 3 Journal

  1)    To what extent do we learn these ideas of right & wrong from our environment?  To what extent is this morality intrinsic, i.e., present in us from birth?

We as people learn what is right and wrong from how we were raised and also the environment and people we surround ourselves with. Morality is not with us at our birth. Children learn simple morals from their parents and teachers growing up. Simple morals such as please and thank you, sharing, treat others the way you wish to be treated, etc. If a child grew up learning from someone that it is okay to be disrespectful, they would learn it is okay. Bigger picture opinions are also learned from parents but also from the environment a child grows up in. For instance, if someone's parents have always believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman, the person is likely to take on the same morals. The environment a person is in has a big impact on morals too. An example of this is that a lot of people who live in rural areas will be less open to racial diversity because they aren't accustomed to it. Therefore many people who could be considered "racist" come from rural areas. 

2)    Are there actions you believe are always morally wrong? Which actions? Why or why not?

There are actions that I see as morally wrong. Purposely hurting an innocent person, whether it be harassment, rape, physically harming them or killing them, is never okay. There is an exception to this. I specify an innocent person because there are some instances that I feel are worthy of capital punishment. Another action I believe is always morally wrong is not being accepting of who someone is and who they love, unless they are hurting other people. I know this is a long statement, but for instance, LGBTQ people should be allowed to be who they are without harassment and homophobia, but pedophiles shouldn't. I would also consider women's rights as included in my morals, I think women should be treated equally to men and have the right to choose what we do with our own bodies. 

3)    Can one live morally without the guidance of religion? Why or why not?

People can live morally without the guidance of religion and a lot of people do, including myself. So, yes people can live morally without being religious because morals do not automatically mean religion. People choose to believe and be active in different religions and we are lucky to have that freedom, but religion does not play a huge part in my life. I realize that religion and morals go hand in hand for a majority of people especially here in the midwest, but the two words do not correspond in my mind. So much war and suffering has happened in the world because of people's religious beliefs and those people thinking their immoral choices are okay because of what they believe. Many conflicts and wars in history have happened because the two groups of people aren't okay with the others religion and it leaders to murder and genocide, which is exactly against one of my morals. One should always be accepting of who another person is unless said person's beliefs hurt people. 

4)    Is empathy the proper basis for morality? Why or why not?

Empathy is a very big part of morality but morality is not only based on empathy. One can have good morals without having a strong empathetic personality. It is important for a person to be sympathetic to understand good morals. I say this because just because a person isn't super empathetic doesn't mean they will understand morals less. I consider myself to be sympathetic but not empathetic, and I still understand respect and that I don't want to purposely hurt anyone. I feel for people, I just don't feel everything they feel unless I have personally been through their experience.