Generally speaking, however, it's a set of values that dictates the difference between right and wrong. Eating a box of Maltesers to yourself: bad. Passing it around the room: good.
Since man first started being a social animal and living in groups he's had to adhere to a basic guide to proper behaviour. Some morals pass the test of time. Most of us agree that killing someone's a pretty bad thing to do. As is stealing. So we refrain, and all get along happily, tra la la.
History suggests that our views on others change. At least these days. Are modern morals declining? Let's flick through the evidence.
Sexual morality
It's never been easier to get us girls into bed. Virtue and virginity, what are they? Where once we took pride in saving ourselves for our husband, British girls today can barely save themselves until after the midnight kebab. In the 1950s the average age people first had sex was 21. Now it's 16. And declining. (The latest national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles which revealed the dramatic dip in age was done in 2000). So much sex, so young… And what for? Teenage mums, a rise in STDs, a lack of mutual respect between the sexes…
TV morality
What does it say about our nation that our favourite TV show is based on a moronic medley of contestants who are encouraged to backstab one another to win cash? Big Brother the world over has been lambasted for its vulgarity, and degrading effect on public morals. Yet we love it. We can't get enough of a programme that says: 'Bugger everyone else. Behave as reprehensibly as you want. Just look after No. 1.' What happened to the notion of responsible behaviour and the common good?
Perhaps we can blame the decline in Christianity, or religion in general. Not so long ago we'd be too scared to betray people because God might catch us. Now our churches are empty, our superstores full. But if you don't believe in God… Well, you're free to create your own morals…
Political morality
History shows that standards ebb and flow. Government ministers used to resign when caught flouting public morality. Nowadays they're less honourable and cling to their posts. Even 40 years ago John Profumo gave up his political career for lying to parliament and spent the rest of his life (until this March) atoning for it. Today, leaders like Blair and Blunkett can be evasive in the House of Commons to the point of lying. What kind of example are they setting?
Plus change
You could argue that things were ever thus. It's probably true that every society wrings its hands at How Bad Things Have Become. If we'd like to see a return to moral ways and a better society then the best we can do is improve our individual morality. Be good. And pass over those Maltesers…
