Social Environment and Moral Progress

"Social Environment and Moral Progress" by Alfred Russel Wallace is a scholarly exploration of how society shapes what we consider right and wrong. The book kicks off by challenging the idea that morals are fixed, arguing instead that they change across time and cultures. The author looks at morality and its connection to the world around us, questioning if our understanding of good and bad is just built into us, or a reflection of what society teaches. Using historical examples, the text aims to show that our moral compass is molded by social situations, the past, and by actively choosing better moral paths.