--- Gilbert Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Goanetters can make their own determination based on > their own wide human observations whether "majority > of humans are born moral". Religion (mine) says > only two were born so. >
It is unlikely that any Goanetter has observed any kind of immoral act being committed by an infant or a toddler. So from a practical standpoint the claim that humans are not born moral is nonsense. Instead, if the claim is that for the full expression of the positive aspects of morality, the child has to grow up, has to undergo normal brain development and has to have normal social interactions, then the claim is partially true. It is true to the extent that one can say humans are born dumb. Accumulated scientific evidence indicates that the capacity for what we regard as moral behavior is essentially innate, just like the capacity for language. Indeed, many of the positive moral traits are evident in a child of 18 months. For example, altruistic behavior is clearly seen at this age. Of course, both positive and negative social influences can significantly modify moral behavior. Cheers, Santosh