We all consider ourselves to be, "moral beings," who live according to a set of rules and standards.
So how do you determine what rules to follow?
Do you expect everybody to follow the same rules as you?
Is your thinking on the subject of morality influenced by religion, philosophy, or societal norms, whatever they are at the moment?
Nails, I didn't regard either my parents, grandparents or teacher as superior to me. I regarded them as people I would like to be like because I admired something about them. I would need to think more carefully about what I admired but I know that that was what I was guided by.
I don't know about moral authorities but two rules? codes? can't think of the word....that have always stood me in good stead are "Do as you would be done by" and, even simpler "be kind"
Maybe we are singing from the same hymn sheet Tills ;-)
I too never saw them as 'superior'.
Just people that I DIDN'T admire and aspired to be different.