Elaborate codes of conduct have been constructed and enforced since ancient times. Codes, upon which the foundation of survival and solidarity are relied upon, give humans the basic direction how to act and exist among one another. One form of this governance comes from State mandated laws, however, it is suggested that the basis for these laws are established from moral beliefs. It is morality which engages people to act appropriately. British philosopher Bertrand Russell once wrote, "Without civic morality communities perish; without personal morality their survival has no value". Arguably, there is a need for morality in society, not only to lead a pleasant existence, but for survival.
If morals are necessary within a society, the question can be ask, what is morality? Morality is a set of beliefs, normalized internally and by society, by which individuals determines the rightness or wrongness of their actions. Morality is often generalized and codified among groups and cultures in an attempt to guide both individual and social behaviour. The methods of how these codes materialize are not always agreed upon. Certain people believe that morals and ethics are the product of God and religion, not a human construct. Religious scripture like the Holy Bible and Quran, as well as, revelations of those who have "spoken to God" determine what actions are considered good and evil. God is considered the highest form of perfection and therefore, his scrutiny of right and wrong is the pinnacle of moral behaviour. In opposition to this some people believe there is no strong evidence that points to a true existence of God, and if there is no God how can his morals be a true set of what is right and wrong. The argument is then that God ...