As the subject of stem cell research re-enters the public discourse and the residue of corporate greed penetrates our daily existence, an attempt to define morality and its place in human life seems to be appropriate. In doing so, one must first consider whether humans are naturally equipped with a moral compass or whether it is instilled by others.
Man has long debated whether or not humans are endowed with inherent goodness. This debate is generally intertwined with spiritual and religious philosophies, leading many to conclude that one must be religious to be moral. In fact, history argues against this point of view; the Holocaust and Inquisition were conducted by religious zealots and most modern terrorist groups espouse fundamental religious convictions.
Morality, in my opinion, is the impulse to do what is right, a trait that promotes the common good. While humans may be born with moral tendencies, they must be nurtured to endure. The tenets of morality are principles, not beliefs, and they cannot be imposed or legislated. To be a moral person is to shun selfishness, greed and intolerance; to do so, one must continually resist the political, social and religious forces that strive to divide us.
