I disagree that moral systems become useless in certain situations. Moral systems are still in effect, even when s4!t gets real. For example, a moral system with a goal of non-violence may actively fight instinctual need to feed if food was only available through violence.Those are core human drives, not merely goals. These drives exist in all of us objectively. They are not merely chosen to achieve, they are existential. When someone flicks their hand at your face, you blink. It’s not a choice you make. It’s core existential programming.
You can practice subjective moral systems that would be valid for certain ends, but they become useless once you are faced with objective existential issues. Then s4!t gets real.
They can be valid for certain ends, but they are probably subjective ends if they don’t service existential issues.
An authority isn’t required to experience our existential reality. Again, that’s core existential programming. But an authority may be required to negotiate its transactions in some instances.
That said, a person may choose to change their moral system in the face of adversity. For example, the goal of non-violence may change to a goal of survival. Or the person may keep their original moral system's goals of non-violence and starve to death.