Why be moral?

 

There has to be some reason or reasons why people behave morally.  According to the goals-methods model of evolutionary ethics, it’s

• because I have to (obligation);
• because I want to (volition);
• because I care (compassion).  

 

“Being moral” is defined as upholding norms and being an ideal partner in collaboration and sharing.  

 

MORAL OBLIGATION  

“I don't want to, but I have to.”  I am forced to behave morally by considerations of my own welfare.  These can include:  

• threat to cooperative/moral identity - my moral opinion of myself, and others' moral opinion of myself (reputation).  I do not want to lose my identity as a good person.  I have a psychological need to see myself in a good light, and my welfare dictates that I need others to see me in a good light so that people will want to collaborate or share with me in the future.  
• complaints from partners (respectful protest / punishment / partner control) that I am not performing as I should;
• threats from my partners to exercise partner choice against me.  

 

MORAL VOLITION

Why do I want to uphold norms and behave like an ideal collaborative partner?  

In the goals-methods model of morality, norms are methods of achieving a goal (mutual benefit).  As such methods, they can be goals in themselves.  These methods are endorsed or not endorsed subjectively.  For example, patriarchy is a kind of reproductive behaviour: males dominate and control females for reproductive purposes.  Reproduction counts as a mutual fitness benefit.  But the way it is done (patriarchy) is not endorsed by everyone.  

Hence, we value and uphold norms because they are sub-goals of an overall normative goal (mutual benefit), as long as we endorse the methods.  

In general, and consistent with upholding moral norms, why do I want to be an ideal collaborative partner?  

The answer is “for us” - for the joint governing agent made up of you and I.  I.e., I want to be an ideal collaborative partner for both you and I, in different ways.  When we agree to collaborate, sharing work and rewards, ideally, we form a “we”, a joint agent with joint goals.  Since the joint agent shares my goals, I want to help and uphold the joint agent - you and I.  

 

COMPASSION

Humans have compassionate instincts - when we see someone in need, and if we feel they are deserving, then we sympathetically feel their pain and want to help.  Humans are unusual as a species in that our helping instincts are fairly indiscriminate.  

Humans have altruistic feelings towards both kin and non-kin because of interdependence.  If I need you, then I need you to be in good shape.  The more I need you, the more I will help you, because helping you is helping myself.  Humans evolved in a harsh and risky environment, where we needed other people to help us survive.  Alternatively, we help kin because kin share copies of our own genes, so, again, helping my family is indirectly helping myself (some of my genes).