The problem with grounding morality in innate instinct , like human solidarity , is that we have competing jostling instincts . And if I have instinct A that is bubbling up from within the human race , and instinct notA , a contrary impulse You ' ve got the impulse to help your neighbor and to be a nice guy and get along , and then you ' ve got the impulse to go to war and exterminate people you don ' t likeYes . That ' s not a problem . That ' s simple reality ignoring , for the moment , the error there in the first few words . All species are chock full of drives that compete with each other . These drives are often in conflict , and which one wins out at any given moment depends on many factors . Besides , morality isn ' t mere innate instinct . Its precursor drives and origins are , yes , but there ' s considerable rational , cultural , legal , traditional , social , and habitual complexity built upon those origin social drives .