Where does human morality come from?

Have you ever found yourself in a debate over who should get the last slice of pizza or felt satisfaction after returning a lost wallet to its owner? These everyday scenarios can be considered simple examples of morality in action. Morality is a sense of right and wrong that guides a person’s decisions and behaviors, and some form of moral reasoning is a part of nearly every conversation, judgment, and choice we each make.

The need to trust and cooperate to survive in the early days of humanity is where the basic frameworks of moral conduct have their roots, which have shaped both societies and individual behavior ever since. Researchers from fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology have found traces of this age-old code in our thought patterns, actions, and even our brain structures. A combination of influences from our evolutionary past and current environments seems to shape our sense of right and wrong. Read on to learn more about the history of morality and how you can explore your own sense of it.

The origins of morality

We can learn about the roots of human morality by looking at our ancient past as well as how we act in groups today. There are also insights to be found in the human tendency toward collaboration as well as in observing the behaviors of monkeys and other social animals.

An evolutionary perspective

Looking through the lens of evolution, the human sense of morality may have given us an advantage for surviving and thriving as a social species early on. In other words, the drive to survive during tough times may have pushed early humans to work together, which could have formed an early sense of right and wrong. It’s one of the key theories of human morality today.

Cooperation and reciprocity

The idea of working together and returning favors isn't exclusive to humans; it's also seen in many other animals. Vampire bats, for example, are known to share food with those who didn't manage to find any, helping them survive. Wolves, dolphins, and birds also help each other with tasks like hunting, even when they don't immediately benefit as individuals. The shared sense of responsibility present in these animal societies may demonstrate how working together can be tied to the development of a moral sense in humans.

Primates and social animals

Monkeys and apes—especially the ones closest to humans such as chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas—show strong social ties, an understanding of others' feelings, and various types of collaborative behaviors. They live in close-knit groups, often working together for common goals like finding food and territory. They’ve even been known to sort out fights, comfort each other, and reconcile after conflicts, which could be seen as signs of a basic sense of morality stemming from cooperative living. While the human sense of morality is more complex, these perspectives suggest that evolutionary behaviors like working together and returning favors combined with our links to other species may have significantly shaped our sense of right and wrong.

Cultural and social influences on morality

To determine why we think of certain things as right and others as wrong, it could help to look at how human cultures and societies can influence moral values. Various factors such as language, religion, and values may mold our ideas of morality.

Language and moral codes

Every human culture and society uses language to demonstrate its values and norms. These cultural norms help guide us on what's right or wrong, shaping the moral viewpoints of both individuals and groups. As the words we use change over time, the moral rules tied to them might also evolve. These changes often reflect shifts in cultural ideas and behaviors.

Religions and moral values

Religion is another factor that may influence moral values across human societies. In many cultures, religious texts and beliefs serve as a blueprint for making what are considered ethical decisions for that culture. The moral rules from religious teachings often outline how people in a particular community should behave. Religious institutions can also influence people's beliefs and, in turn, their moral values.

Justice, fairness, and power

Ideas about justice and fairness may be woven into our sense of right and wrong, as they’re about maintaining balance and peace within societies. Power may also influence what we think is morally right or wrong. That’s because people or groups who hold power in a culture or society often have a say in moral rules and norms, which can then be upheld or challenged based on factors such as cultural changes and shifts in values.

Factors that go into moral philosophy and decision-making

Different factors such as ethics, virtues, human nature, and rationality may also influence moral behavior and judgments. These factors make up the roots of moral philosophy. 

Ethics and virtue

Ethics help guide us in deciding what’s right and what’s wrong so that we can make choices based on principles and values. Virtue refers to the traits that are considered by a culture or group to be associated with “good” people, such as honesty, empathy, and courage. Together, these concepts can mold our moral behavior and judgments, thereby shaping our actions and reactions to various situations.

Human nature and rationality

Human nature is, of course, another factor in the concept of morality and decision-making. It includes our emotions, instincts, and other natural tendencies, all of which can significantly influence our moral reasoning. Logic can also play a key role in moral cognition. The ability to think rationally and reasonably allows people to evaluate the impact of their actions and make decisions based on moral principles. Both human nature and logic can influence human behavior and how we approach moral questions.

Moral psychology and responsibility

Moral psychology focuses on understanding the mental processes behind moral reasoning, thinking, and behavior. It explores how factors such as emotions, cognitive biases, and social context can influence our moral judgments and actions. 

One key element of moral psychology is the idea of personal responsibility. As individuals, we can generally expect to be held accountable for our actions, leading to a sense of moral duty and the need to make morally sound decisions.

Exploring your own values and morals in therapy

Morality is a complex topic that’s often closely tied to a person’s own emotions, experiences, and personal growth. That’s why those who are looking to explore moral questions or develop a clearer sense of their own values may find therapy to be a useful tool—in addition to techniques like journaling for self-reflection, studying philosophical and social texts from throughout history, and cultivating a sense of empathy by getting to know people who are different from you. 

In particular, a therapist can provide a safe space where you can sort through the various influences on your morality and decide on your own moral code. They can also support you in your personal growth in general, equipping you with tools and strategies for improving critical thinking skills, increasing empathy, boosting emotional health, and learning more about yourself so you can make decisions you feel good about.

If you’re interested in receiving the support of a therapist, the next step is to decide whether you’d like to meet with a provider in person or virtually. For people who don’t have time to commute to and from in-person appointments or who simply feel more comfortable engaging with a therapist from home, online therapy may be worth considering. Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with and then meet with a licensed therapist via phone call, video call, and/or in-app messaging. Since research suggests that online and in-person therapy can offer similar benefits in most cases, you can generally feel comfortable choosing either format. Research suggests that online therapy can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy in general.

Takeaway

An individual’s sense of morality can be shaped by many factors, such as society, religion, culture, and human nature. While these are all powerful forces, a person can also develop a sense of moral values and make moral decisions based on their own reasoning and experiences. For support in exploring your own sense of personal morality, meeting with a therapist online or in person can be helpful.