Morality : creating right and wrong

Abstract

It is my objective, in this thesis, to present an imagined process by which the human species could have come to objectively value certain forms of moral principles from the ground of subjective self interest and thereby develop moral agreements. What could motivate us to reflect upon, and subsequently act, with goodwill towards others?

I have attempted not to presuppose or assume any natural inherent characteristic other than the limited desire for self preservation and standardly recognized cognitive capacities.

I am, in this thesis, imagining a way in which the human species might have developed substantive concern for others. As this is a philosophical thought experiment, I have not researched either biological or anthropological evolution. Nor are any of my illustrations of circumstances or individuals based on actual, historical fact. I am simply suggesting that this is a process through which humans may have come to value each other through time and circumstance and holding that given the natural facts about us it is rational for us to have come to have such values. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)