[itsamelman]

Because right and wrong do not need to be related to a fear of punishment, in this life or any other. In simplest and simplistic terms, "right" morally is that which provides the best chance for your genes to propogate. Thus murder is out, because people will come kill you for it; rape is out for the same reason. I've yet to come across a bit of (generally accepted) morality that can't be defined in this way.

How about the German who hides Jews from the Nazis? Where's the evolutionary benefit in that act? The German is placing his life in tremendous peril. Or is that not a moral act?

[orionblamblam]

> How about the German who hides Jews from the Nazis? Where's the evolutionary benefit in that act? The German is placing his life in tremendous peril. Or is that not a moral act?

In general, helping other humans who are not threatening you is a way to aid your own progeny.

Humanity has evolved and learned that helping out other humans is a generally useful survival trait. It is thus ingrained into most people. Sometimes these survival traits kick in in situation where they might not strictly be real useful... but that doesn't mean they're not morally right.