Week 7: Post 1

This week we discussed morality when it comes to children.  I would specifically like to talk about the video we watched based on Haidt's theory of morality and where it comes from.  He believes that the human brain is not a blank slate and that we our born with certain morals.  Haidt listed five things in particular, which he says each human is implanted with from birth.  These understandings included the ability to feel harm and care, the knowledge of fairness, the loyalty to a certain group, a respect for authority, and a sense of purity.  I believe that two of these understandings are true: the sense of harm and care, and group loyalty.  A child, or any living thing for that matter, will have a feeling of security and comfort if they are in an environment that makes them feel safe just like they will feel discomfort and want to escape a situation in which they feel is harmful.  A sense of safety naturally comes with being in a group which is why I agree with his idea that we are born with a "pack mentality".  I disagree, however, with this other three ideas: that we are born with a sense of fairness, a respect for authority, and a pureness.  I think that we are taught these things through who we spend our time with, our education, religious teachings, media, and most of all, our parents.  The people who raise us are the first to implant an understanding of what is fair and what is not into us.  They also are the first to be a figure of  authority and command respect from us.  In conclusion, while I agree with a few of Haidt's ideas, I think that he is misguided in thinking that we do not learn these things from the people that raise us and the influences around us.