The Danger of Unrestrained Morality

Moral foundations theory describes how humans evolved to possess innate moral impulses. These impulses drive us to value:

• fairness
• purity
• in-group loyalty
• liberty
• caring for others
• respect for authority

These six moral foundations are found across all human cultures, however, they are expressed and understood in various ways depending on the particular culture or subculture in question.

Image by Anil John from Pixabay

Moral impulses were selected for in our evolutionary history due to the fact that they are essential to a social species, and because they tend to enhance group fitness. In a society these moral impulses are codified into laws and moral norms —what we generally refer to as morality.

Morality, however, is often a double-edged sword.

While moral impulses and moral norms tend to enhance group fitness, some moral systems may harm group fitness. And unrestrained morality, in any society, has the potential to be a serious threat to the well-being and liberty of the individual.

Those who run afoul of popular morality have been treated with extreme cruelty throughout human history — either by a retributive (rather than remedial) legal system or through…