• Question: Where does the human's knowledge of right and wrong come from?

    Asked by Zealousy to Chris, Josh, Rebecca, Rob, Susan on 19 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Susan Cartwright

      Susan Cartwright answered on 19 Jun 2015:

      Basically, from what your parents and community tell you as you grow up.

      Ideas of right and wrong vary widely between cultures, so this is not an instinct that is common to everyone. We think that killing people is wrong, but human sacrifice was an established part of many religions in the past. Jews and Muslims thing that eating pork is wrong, but Christians don’t. In many ancient societies, abandoning a baby you didn’t want was perfectly legal and moral – there were standard places where you did it – but we would certainly think that was wrong.

    • Photo: Rebecca Dewey

      Rebecca Dewey answered on 19 Jun 2015:

      It’s all learned I’m afraid. Your parents, grandparents, older siblings, people on television, things you read in books, all influence your belief of right and wrong. In the past people used to think that we were born knowing it but absolutely not – you learn it when you’re a child.

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