Mid afternoon Thursday and I hope to find precise words to describe my latest thoughts about morality. Humans are inordinately concerned with morality. We are the most complicated of all mammals. Wolves, otters, and elephants have a species appropriate manner of associating. A wolf learns to recognize the alpha, to give that male “leader” deference. Perhaps there is a hierarchical reciprocity within an elephant herd. Anyone living in proximity to those creatures would know.

Propriety: I am not alone and morality matters.

Later today I expect to participate with a group of friends to discuss an essay by a City University of New York philosophy professor entitled – Morality is a Culturally Conditioned Response. The title makes transparent sense to me. How could it be otherwise?

I come to consciousness as a helpless newborn, absolutely dependent upon parents, upon those with specialized skills (the pediatrician) for every component requisite to my survival. To name just a few: nourishment, warm blankets, shelter, antibiotics, and cuddling. I’ll say it again with different words.  I “awaken” in a strange, chaotic, dangerous place, that only becomes “world” in and through the solicitous care which is given to me by others of my species. Conceding myself to be alive, I learn as I respond to material assistance, and to the manner by which aid is offered to me. “To be” alive is to learn, especially to get along with others of your species, most importantly comportment with one’s own tribe. Learn to live.

To be fair I need mention that not everyone agrees with this assessment. Many believe that morality can be traced to a divine source. A God-on-high, or many gods have revealed moral principles. The ten commandments, or the Sermon on the Mount come to mind. Some of us believe morality comes from human nature. Others are convinced that morality can be traced to our ability to reason. For me those options are unconvincing.

What are you thinking? In recent memory has morality come to mind? What occasioned the reflection?

What about a tune? I think Cool Change by Australia’s Little River Band is what we need.  Enjoy!

Did you “get” the point of the lyric? Lessons from culture, from human action are insufficient for moral principles.  But also from non-human life that surrounds us. And from the sea, the moon, the breeze…