Even with a very minimal amount of philosophical schooling, I know that this is the basic epistemological question of nature vs nurture.
I have to side with Mr. Locke: we emerge from the womb as a virtually blank slate, and we learn from our environment what is, and what is right and what is wrong.
Ahhh yes, this is true, but this is also the problem!
We are all born as a clean slate, true to nature itself. In other words, we are born Buddhas. The problem then, lies in the conditioned world around us, as they steer us away from our own divine natures, and nurture is to conform to society. It is to be understood that this entire physical world is Maya, or illusion, full of illusive people and misconceptions about the truth. Let us not seek any answers outside of ourselves, for that is more conditioning. THEE truth is to be found within and only within. This is the teaching of the Buddha.
Why must we seek within? because this the way of non attachment and renunciation, of which is utmost necessary for enlightenment and self realization. This is even described in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, or, the very essence of yoga itself, which goes:
"Now the discipline of yoga.
Yoga is the cessation of the mind.
then the witness is established in itself.
IN THE OTHER STATES, THE MIND IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE MODIFICATIONS OF THE MIND.
the modifications of the mind are five, they are: right knowledge, wrong knowledge, imagination, memory and sleep."
So you can see, it is only from this non attached, renunciation of everything but the self that allows us to peer into who we really are. this is because otherwise, as we are chasing after all other things, we arent identifying our true selves, but rather the modifications or the different unpure conditions of ourselves.
I believe this is very important to understand, as it may give one insight into the nature of the maya around us. If we cannot understand this fact, than we are seeking an endless means for satisfying our hunger for truth.
An example of this fact may be found in this quote " we cannot see ourselves in running water, only in still water can we find our reflection"
How is this relevant? Well, if we can understand that the world IS maya, than why would we believe in someone elses judgements over our own. I believe that WE IN FACT ARE BORN WITH A NATURAL SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG! this is because we are expansions of god himself, and god even resides in our hearts as the supreme personality, just so he may steer us in the right direction. If ever you are lost, look within and follow your heart.
Here lies a summary of some of the ideas ive had after coming out of some deep transcendental meditation:
"Only the right way will reap reward, for everything else is wrong. Doing something wrong can become habitual, and the wrong way only leads to suffering. Every human is born with a natural sense of right and wrong, it is written into our flesh like our animal instincts. The right way is called the right way because it is the road to peace-it is the righteous path. To understand this, you must also understand that only at the time of the situation can you decide whether the choice is right or wrong. You cannot look at any other situation anywhere else because it will never be the same situation as yours at that present time, however similar it may be. You must also think about your decision in a calm, relaxed manner, and trust yourself. No good decision was ever made in a panic or rush, so relax. The answer to your problem lies within yourself. By projecting your attention outward when trying to find the solution to your problem, you are only giving yourself more things to look at which probably aren’t even relevant. The origin of your problem is found within and thats also where the answer must be sought."