Expanding Horizons of Morality from Man to Animal – A Critical Appraisal (original) (raw)

Morality is a strong instinctive force which develops from within and cannot be externally imposed. It leads to the creation of a strong conscience which recognizes actions that are virtuous and generates happiness for the maximum numbers. Man is regarded as the most evolved and superior species and hence a group of scholars argue that humans possess traits of morality while other animals do not. They also claim that men are born with a universal moral grammar which is significantly influenced by environmental variables. However, another group of theorists assert that humans and animals have the same origin which makes the presence of a rudimentary moral sense common to both. They consider morality as a set of largely primitive psychological instincts which are inherited and present in both humans and animals. Researchers and scientists have validated the claim made by the latter group of theorists by stating examples of moral actions and complex emotions which are witnessed by all ...