A terrifically complex system including, but not limited to: genetics, family, childhood environment, social context, wealth level, luck, historical context, etc. etc. Where does a psychopath get their morals from? mostly an accident of genetics and neurology that overrides everything else. While other people's family environment delivers morals into their child-brain that override everything else. Not everyone has such a singular source.
Discussion
Terrifically complex indeed!
If we tried to simplify those factors, perhaps we would call them “natural law”.
Something which would be inherent to nature: “we hold these truths to be self evident”
That type of law is what we call “the law on our hearts” -the source of which is what we call God.
To understand it better I look at the results:
When this natural law is followed:
History sees great civilizations of justice and times of peace, both within and without the individual.
When the natural law is broken: we see tyrants, anger, suffering, war, etc. Again, at the macro and/or micro level.
History is full of good things twisted into evil, and those using religion aggressively is another example.
Christians are commanded to reserve both judgement and revenge to God- so any who would accuse you, living with sin themselves, would be outside of the law.
Perhaps you would appreciate Jordan Peterson’s latest work.
> That type of law is what we call “the law on our hearts” - the source of which is what we call God.
Question on this: if we can just say that this law exists in our hearts and see that following it reaps all those benefits you list below, what does it **add** to say that the source is called "God"?
Unless I'm missing something or you didn't include it in your reply, adding additional sources or narratives to the "natural law that exists within us" doesn't seem to do anything. (beyond causing endless conflict among the differently-faithful)
To me this is evocative of how I think about spontaneous order in Stateless societies. We can follow certain norms (non-aggression, private property, etc.) because they yield results the community appreciates. "Adding a State into the mix" doesn't make those results better, and if anything it usually just creates new control planes and coercive structures.
I agree with you, and I actually think this might be semantics between us at this level.
I really think the Jordan Peterson book “We who wrestle with God” has this explained perfectly.
The natural law, Truth, self-evident good, you could even say “consciousness” or Plato’s highest form-
*IS* God the Creator according to my interpretation. (John 1:1)
Religion can either be used to try to explain this to the masses, or motivate them to great evil.
This is the spiritual battle referred to in holy texts. And it is ongoing today brother. ✌️