Survey year | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 23% | 74% | 2% | 1% | 3,881 |
Learn More: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by religious group
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Religious tradition | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 28% | 69% | 2% | 1% | 738 |
Evangelical Protestant | 33% | 66% | 1% | 1% | 408 |
Historically Black Protestant | 20% | 79% | 2% | < 1% | 111 |
Jewish | 22% | 78% | < 1% | < 1% | 144 |
Mainline Protestant | 26% | 72% | 1% | 1% | 647 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 18% | 79% | 2% | 1% | 1,396 |
Learn More: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are ages…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 24% | 39% | 24% | 14% | 921 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 36% | 32% | 21% | 11% | 2,811 |
Generational cohort among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 14% | 18% | 31% | 28% | 8% | < 1% | 921 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 25% | 18% | 25% | 24% | 7% | 1% | 2,811 |
Gender composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 59% | 41% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 53% | 47% | 2,852 |
Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 69% | 8% | 4% | 14% | 4% | 919 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 66% | 8% | 6% | 16% | 4% | 2,821 |
Immigrant status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 15% | 10% | 75% | 924 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 16% | 15% | 69% | 2,817 |
Income distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have a household income of…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 26% | 17% | 30% | 28% | 849 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 32% | 18% | 26% | 24% | 2,567 |
Educational distribution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who have completed…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | High school or less | Some college | College | Post-graduate degree | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 27% | 33% | 24% | 16% | 927 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 30% | 32% | 22% | 17% | 2,844 |
Marital status among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 46% | 10% | 14% | 4% | 26% | 928 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 39% | 10% | 12% | 4% | 36% | 2,843 |
Parent of children under 18 among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 30% | 70% | 931 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 24% | 76% | 2,846 |
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Belief in God among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say they…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 50% | 26% | 8% | 1% | 12% | 3% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 39% | 26% | 11% | 1% | 18% | 4% | 2,852 |
Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say religion is…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 38% | 33% | 15% | 13% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 28% | 30% | 20% | 21% | 1% | 2,852 |
Attendance at religious services among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend religious services…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 23% | 39% | 38% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 17% | 38% | 44% | < 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of prayer among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who pray…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 45% | 21% | 7% | 27% | < 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 34% | 18% | 8% | 40% | 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who attend prayer group…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 14% | 9% | 10% | 67% | < 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 11% | 8% | 8% | 73% | 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of meditation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who meditate…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 42% | 10% | 5% | 42% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 39% | 12% | 5% | 43% | 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 55% | 16% | 11% | 18% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 49% | 20% | 11% | 19% | 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 55% | 15% | 13% | 16% | < 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 56% | 16% | 12% | 15% | 1% | 2,852 |
Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who read scripture…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 26% | 13% | 9% | 51% | < 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 18% | 11% | 10% | 61% | < 1% | 2,852 |
Interpreting scripture among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 14% | 29% | 1% | 47% | 8% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 12% | 20% | 1% | 61% | 7% | 2,852 |
Belief in Heaven among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in heaven
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 61% | 30% | 9% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 51% | 40% | 9% | 2,852 |
Belief in Hell among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …in hell
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 46% | 47% | 7% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 35% | 57% | 8% | 2,852 |
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who identify as…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 44% | 14% | 42% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 22% | 17% | 61% | 2,852 |
Political ideology among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who are…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 31% | 37% | 29% | 3% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 17% | 37% | 43% | 3% | 2,852 |
Views about size of government among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who would rather have…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 56% | 39% | 2% | 2% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 43% | 51% | 3% | 3% | 2,852 |
Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 45% | 51% | 3% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 29% | 66% | 3% | 1% | 2,852 |
Views about abortion among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say abortion should be…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 63% | 34% | 3% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 72% | 25% | 3% | 2,852 |
Views about homosexuality among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say homosexuality…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 76% | 20% | 3% | 2% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 85% | 11% | 3% | 2% | 2,852 |
Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who …same-sex marriage
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 68% | 25% | 7% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 81% | 15% | 4% | 2,852 |
Views about environmental regulation among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 37% | 61% | 2% | 1% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 22% | 74% | 2% | 2% | 2,852 |
Views about human evolution among adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong by belief in existence of standards for right and wrong
% of adults who say philosophy/reason is their primary source of guidance on what's right and wrong who say humans…
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | 44% | 29% | 5% | 19% | 3% | 933 |
Right or wrong depends on the situation | 56% | 23% | 5% | 15% | 2% | 2,852 |