Morality references principles of behaviour or conduct. These behavioural principles may derive from all sources capable of being tapped and analyzed by the human intellect: philosophy, religion, literature, reason, courts, Mafia dinner meetings, or whatever. The principles that are considered to be related to right conduct, vary from culture to culture, from society to society, from individual to individual. It is quite correct to state that principles of conduct mandated by social authority are often synonymous with principles derived from religion or philosophy, or elsewhere. On the other hand, rightful conduct or action, as legislated by the social arm of justice, will never show perfect congruency with all the myriad moral principles that individuals internalize from other sources--such as were previously mentioned. It is true that law may be considered as an attempt to codify "right" conduct. However, I would personally consider that the pragmatic nature of the institution of law, when coupled with the omnipresent inequality that always exists in society--would not serve to recommend it as the most "moral" source of behavioral principles...
(edit): ultimately, ALL principles may only be properly evaluated by reason. But in the practical world there are many "principles" held by people which have little to do with rationality... |
