How Do We Decide What Is Right and Wrong? What Influences Our Moral Judgments?

Roger Skibowski
5 min readJan 14

There is no single answer to this question. Our moral compass is shaped by a variety of factors, including our personal beliefs and values, cultural and societal norms, religious or spiritual beliefs, emotions, and experiences.

Personal beliefs and values

Our beliefs and values determine the way we see the world and make moral judgments. They are our internal compass, guiding us through life’s complexities and helping us to make decisions that align with our personal worldview.

Our beliefs and values are shaped by a variety of factors, including our family, culture, religion, education, and life experiences. Our individual worldview is further influenced by our own unique set of personality traits and preferences. All of these factors come together to create a moral compass that is uniquely ours.

While our personal beliefs and values may vary from others’, there are some universal truths that we all hold dear. These include the belief that all human beings are deserving of respect and dignity, and that it is always wrong to harm or take advantage of another person. These shared values help to create a sense of community and common purpose, even amid our differences.

When faced with a difficult decision, we can look to our personal beliefs and values for guidance. Taking the time to reflect on what we believe and why we believe it can help us to make choices that are true to ourselves. In this way, our moral compass helps us to lead a life that is authentic and fulfilling.

Cultural and societal norms

Cultural and societal norms play a significant role in shaping our moral compass. They provide us with a set of shared values and beliefs that help us navigate the complexities of life.

These norms vary from culture to culture and society to society. In some cultures, honesty is valued while in others, loyalty is prized. Some societies place a high premium on individual rights, while others emphasize the importance of community cohesion.

Our own personal values and beliefs also play a role in shaping our moral compass. We may have been raised with certain…

Roger Skibowski