Influences_in_Morality

Nathan Rogers 8/25/12 English II Honors Influences in Morality The most important factors in determining one's moral code are how one is raised and empathy. The things children learn carry through their adulthood, what they learn relies on what their parents teach them. One of the most important factors determining one's moral code is what parents say what is accepted. “A Preschooler will learn that it's not all right to eat in the classroom, because the teacher says it's not” (Kluger 2). The same goes for children and their parents. If the parents tell their children that it's not all right to call people bad names, then they won't do it. But, if the parents don't say anything or don't correct the child, then the child will think that it's okay. How parents discipline their children determine how they act and what their moral code is. Often when children disobey their parents, they “won't feel particularly bad about it either unless he's caught” (Kluger 2). Telling children what to do usually isn't enough, and if there's no consequence then they will repeatedly break the rules. If the consequences are harsh enough then it will make the child not want to do the action again in fear of getting caught again. Most of the time the only thing that prevents others from breaking the rules are the consequences. If people don't fear the consequences then they'll break the rules until they do. Children rely on their parents to teach them what is right and wrong, and it's the parents job to make them want to follow the rules. Empathy is one of the strongest emotions a person can have and empathy can be represented in different ways. One of the most important factors determining one's moral code is understanding others feelings. “The deepest foundation on which morality is built is the phenomenon of empathy, the understanding that what hurts me would feel the same way to you” (Kluger 2). The ability to understand others feelings allows people to want to have a better moral code because they know how they act will affect others. People that have a poor understanding of others tend to have a much different moral code because they don't realize how their action are affecting others. Empathy is also wanting to help others. Another important factor determining one's moral code is compassion. In a study, a chimp wouldn't leave the roof of a house “but if Kohts sat down and pretended to cry, the chimp would go to her immediately” (Kluger 3). Chimps and other animals share many traits with humans, and this is one. The chimp wouldn't go down from the roof, until the women started to cry. The chimp compassion kicked in and suddenly felt morally obligated to support her. The chimp's want to help her came in because he became empathic towards her and knew it was the right thing to do. One's compassion is important in influencing one's moral code because it makes one to want to help others and do what it takes to prevent harm to others. What one learns as a child greatly determines what one's moral code is, as well as, being empathic towards others.