Some additional comments:

The Ten Commandments, summarized in the Golden Rule, emphasize almost exclusively the reciprocal aspect of natural ethics, and do not specifically refer to caring for offspring or group loyalty. Christian ethics emphasize Christian love (agaph) and compassion, thereby rendering ethics humanly warm and life emotionally bearable. The democratic ideals of “liberty, brotherhood, equality”, “right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness”, or “unity, justice, freedom” are related to reciprocity and loyalty; but they also can lead to the natural desire for self-realization. The latter is not a subject of ethics, since it does not relate to unselfish behavior. However, the granting of freedom or equality of opportunity, to the degree that it requires the application of one’s own resources or reduction of one’s own benefit, is a subject of ethics. In this sense, a definition of national goals can differ considerably from a definition of civic values for our society. Through careful analysis, we would have to ascertain that the goals or agenda of some individual groups are not confused with or disguised as common ethical concerns. In sum, our culture sees in ethical behavior the most noble aspect of human life, and identifies love and compassion with being humane.

Then, there is the area of decency and taboos. People have widely differing assessments of decency and taboos. In itself, this is not the area of ethics; however, to the extent that personal feelings or religious commitments are violated or psychological damage is done, mutual respect and the necessary restraint become a matter of ethics.

Finally, there is the question of whether a strict criminal code should be part of an ethical norm. This essay indicates under what conditions and for which individuals re-education, merely transfer to a different social environment, permanent detention, threatened punishment, or painful punishment is indicated.

Closing Comment:

An understanding of human nature and the human brain may bring some philosophical speculations or journalistic trends to an end, and may prevent some misconceptions from being accepted as truth. Tying philosophical inquiry and public policy studies to an understanding of nature should aid valid inquiry and add humane significance to our lives.