At the same time, there is no one single set of values which can accurately encompass everyone’s ethical views. There are many issues that people disagree on, such as abortion, the death penalty, animal protection laws, immigration, etc. This shows how difficult it is to formulate a coherent framework of universal morals. It is also important to remember that even if there exists an underlying shared morality among humans – based on empathy and respect for life – this does not necessarily negate cultural differences or individual preferences in terms of expressing those values through behavior.
While it is certainly possible to find general principles which cross cultural boundaries, and which can provide individuals with a foundation upon which they can make ethical decisions for specific situations, assessing their validity requires more research and analysis.