Noah Cottle
Thesis for: Neuropsychology & Philosophy
DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.16238.73286
Abstract
This paper explores the argument that morality is not an innate, universal truth but rather a
construct learned through socialization, cultural exposure, and environmental conditioning.
Challenging the notion of objective moral values, it posits that human beings are born without a
fixed moral compass and instead develop their sense of right and wrong through the values and
beliefs taught to them. Drawing on psychological, sociological, and historical perspectives, this
work investigates how moral frameworks differ across cultures and time periods, revealing the
malleability of ethical systems. The paper concludes that morality is a fluid structure—often
mistaken for objective truth—shaped by the narratives and authorities that define it.
Here are some thoughts:
The thesis presents a compelling argument that morality is not an innate or universal human truth, but rather a social construct developed through conditioning, cultural immersion, and the influence of authority. Drawing from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and history, the paper contends that humans are born without a fixed moral compass and instead acquire their moral frameworks through a process of environmental shaping. From early childhood, individuals are taught what is "right" or "wrong" through reinforcement, punishment, observation, and repeated narratives. These teachings are often internalized so deeply that they are mistaken for moral intuition or truth. However, what feels instinctively moral is more accurately the product of learned emotional associations and cultural conditioning.
Cottle further demonstrates that moral beliefs vary drastically across cultures and historical periods, undermining the notion of a single objective morality. Practices such as honor killings, child labor, slavery, or same-sex marriage have been alternately viewed as virtuous or immoral depending on the time and place—highlighting morality’s fluidity rather than its universality. This perspective is reinforced by psychological research on moral development, including theories of operant conditioning and moral intuition, which show that moral responses are heavily influenced by emotions, authority figures, and exposure rather than by logic or reason.
Importantly, the paper explores how morality is often shaped and enforced by those in power—religious leaders, governments, and social institutions—which raises critical questions about who defines moral standards and whose interests those standards serve. Morality, in this view, becomes a tool for maintaining social order and control rather than a reflection of universal justice. The text also critiques the binary between moral absolutism and relativism, advocating instead for moral pluralism—a more nuanced stance that recognizes multiple coexisting moral systems, yet still allows for critical reflection, ethical responsibility, and the pursuit of greater justice.
For psychologists, this work is especially relevant. It aligns with longstanding psychological theories about learning, development, and socialization, but pushes further by encouraging professionals to interrogate the origins of moral beliefs in both themselves and their clients. Understanding morality as constructed opens up rich therapeutic possibilities—helping clients disentangle moral distress from inherited values, explore cultural identity, and develop personal ethics grounded in intentionality rather than unexamined tradition. It also challenges psychologists to approach ethical issues with humility and flexibility, fostering cultural competence and critical awareness in their work. Moreover, in a field governed by professional codes of ethics, this perspective encourages ongoing dialogue about how those codes are shaped, whose voices are represented, and how they might evolve to better reflect justice and inclusion.
Ultimately, The Illusion of Moral Objectivity is not a call to abandon morality, but rather an invitation to take it more seriously—to recognize its human origins, question its assumptions, and participate actively in its ongoing construction. For psychologists, this insight reinforces the importance of ethical maturity, cultural sensitivity, and critical self-reflection in both clinical practice and broader social engagement.
