The American Moral Mosaic: A Snapshot
Imagine the US ethical landscape as a bustling potluck dinner where everyone brings their own dish—some spicy individualism from Enlightenment roots, a dash of religious seasoning from Protestant traditions, and modern garnishes like tech-driven convenience.

Today, in 2026, perceptions lean pessimistic: recent Gallup data shows only 19% rating moral values as “good” or “excellent,” with 80% believing they’re declining.
This gloom, however, may be exaggerated, like mistaking a storm cloud for the end of the world; psychologists argue it’s fueled by our brains’ bias toward remembering the bad stuff while forgetting the good. Real progress shines in areas like greater acceptance of diverse identities and ethical tech debates, but challenges persist in polarized debates over issues like AI ethics and social justice.

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