The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas

Edward Westermarck's The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas (1906–08) is a significant work in the study of ethics and morality. Westermarck, a Finnish sociologist, philosopher, and anthropologist, proposed a theory of ethical relativity, suggesting that moral judgments are rooted in emotions of approval and disapproval rather than intellect. He viewed ethics as a sociological and psychological discipline, denying the existence of universal moral truths or objective moral judgments.1

Westermarck's research involved extensive comparative studies of moral ideas across different cultures. He examined variations in practices related to killing, duties to family and the poor, sexual relationships, property rights, and more, demonstrating considerable diversity in what different societies considered good conduct. This work contributed to the understanding of ethics as an empirical field, distinct from normative ethics, and highlighted the influence of social, economic, and geographic factors on moral beliefs.23