How does one know right from wrong? This question has puzzled countless philosophers and remains as one of the most hotly debated issues in modern society. Belief in a deity, relativism, and postmodernism have all attempted to answer this one simple question. A few centuries ago, European and American societies reflected on morality and how it tied in with the prominent issues of the time. In the 18th century, the Irish essayist Jonathan Swift penned Gulliver 's Travels, a humorous work that satirically portrayed the relationship between human nature and morality. One hundred years later, the American author Mark Twain would write Huckleberry Finn, a novel that delved deep into moral issues such as racism and slavery. Although both writers heavily criticized the moral shortcomings of society, they also provided examples illustrating how morality pertains to the individual. Gulliver 's Travels and Huckleberry Finn explain how considering societal bounds, the impact on others, and a larger cause can help individuals choose between right and wrong.
When attempting to discern right from wrong, many will look to society and how it operates for answers. People often feel easy conforming to societal rules and what others deem acceptable. In Huckleberry Finn, Huck must choose to play by the cultural and even religious views of
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Although morality may seem complicated at times, Gulliver 's Travels and Huckleberry Finn provide different perspectives on the issue and how to discern right from wrong. Jonathan Swift 's novel centers around the question of power over inferior groups and its appropriate use, while Twain 's work deals with the morality of racism and slavery. These authors show how one can judge between right and wrong by considering the truth of society 's cultural rules, the impact of a choice on others, and the advancement of a righteous cause. Despite the fictional nature of these two novels, they provide valuable lessons, tools, and thoughts for