Biology and Culture: Evaluating the Reliability of Moral Intuitions Through Utilitarian Ethics
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Ziyan Huang
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This paper explores the reliability of moral intuitions through the lens of utilitarian ethics, examining both their biological and cultural underpinnings. It argues that while human moral intuitions have a biological basis that aligns with utilitarian principles, these intuitions are significantly influenced and often altered by cultural and societal norms. The first section discusses the biological foundations of moral intuitions, highlighting research on genetic predispositions and neurological factors that support fairness and cooperation as fundamental moral principles. The second section examines how socialization and cultural exposure shape and sometimes distort these intuitions, leading to ethical practices that may diverge from utilitarian standards. Case studies, including the practice of ritual cannibalism, illustrate the conflict between innate moral responses and culturally derived values. The paper concludes that while biological intuitions provide a fundamental ethical framework, the influence of cultural norms necessitates a critical evaluation of moral beliefs to ensure alignment with utilitarian ethics. This underscores the importance of not solely relying on intuitions shaped by cultural contexts but rather assessing them against objective ethical standards.
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Ziyan Huang
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