Where do morals come from

[lokisminion]

Morals are simply learned behavior. In a society where cannibalism is accepted no one sees it as wrong. Same for incest, slavery etc. Genetics and psychology play a part in morals too, mainly in people with abnormalities or mental disorders. Over time morals evolve as the society becomes more technologically and philosophically enlightened. When people learned the connection between incest and mutated offspring it became taboo. Morals are really just a set of rules that keep a community from falling apart. Not stealing from, killing, or beating the hell out of your neighbor is necessary or you have anarchy which is only cool in a MadMax movie. Hell, even Bartertown had rules.

[realmzmaster]

Morals are an outgrowth of a need for order. Morals provide guidelines of what is acceptable behavior. Some morals change over time. Some morals change when different civilizations clash. The loser starts to take on the morals of the victor. But it comes down to a need for order. You cannot build nor achieve anything in a constant state of chaos. We do not allow murder, because if everyone started killing everyone else chaos ensues and civilization collapses

Morals help set the norm of acceptable behavior. What may be morally repugnant in our culture can be acceptable in another. It brings to mind the topic of situational ethics.

Good and evil are based on society's perceptions. Norms can shift over time. What once was acceptable can become unacceptable.

[shawndeprey]

Morals come from basic homo-sapien urges to do what we classify as "good." Of course morals encompass a much larger set of "urges" than just a simple good or bad dichotomy, but, the "good and bad" are what most people know, so, I will work with it.

As homo (homo-sapiens you goofs ) we are governed by these urges no matter how much we try to escape them. We are governed by them so much so that they are the basis for the shape of our communities, lifestyles, and religions. You do NOT have to be religious to follow human morals, this is a COMMON misconception.

As I previously stated, morals are basic to homo, not religion or god. If I were wrong, why would sluts or murderers still feel bad if they weren't religious?

So to answer your question's, the reason you should listen to them is because they are part of not only your own, but every persons being and existence. NOT IN A RELIGIOUS SENSE, SO NO EXCUSES!

---EDIT----

I was just reading some other posts, and, most of you people are WAY over-thinking this. Break it down to its core! What are morals in their simplest form. "Hint: THEY ARE NOT RELIGIOUS!"

[Gringo1323]

I think morals arose from the fact that as social beings, humans needed to know what to expect from their counter parts in the rest of their society. By having morals that benefit the majority of the society, each person can know what to expect and society can therefore continue to function. Problems arise when the morals of different communities conflict with each other (not the only time problems arise).