ABSTRACT
When we discuss the inseparable, mutually facilitating relationships between societal understanding and morality, we should keep in our mind that some societal systems are based on conventional or convenient customs and rules, while others are constructed to actualise morality. According to Turiel (2002), conventions are shared behaviours and meanings that are de®ned by societal systems, whereas morality is not determined by existing uniformities, speci®c customs of a given society, or personal preferences (p. 110). Thus, morality may be a source of con¯ict because it exposes injustices and inequalities embedded in the existing societal systems (p. 2). Ideas of fairness, social welfare, human rights, and justice are essential in modern societal cognition. In order to put these moral ideas into practice, the existing societal systems are often radically modi®ed or rearranged, and people are encouraged to assume responsibility and spare expense.
