We might provide perfunctory reasons for our actions, but ultimately, all of us – children and adults alike – feel intuitively when something is right or wrong, fair or unfair. This intuitive aspect of morality is key. So, even when people break the standards of decent behavior, they still feel, on an intuitive level, that they’ve actually done something wrong. They might say, 'I’m hard up for cash right now' or 'Sorry, I had a lapse of judgment.' No, instead they’re anxious to provide excuses as to why they should be exempted in this particular case. When someone is caught having done something wrong – maybe they stole something or lied to their partner – they’re unlikely to argue that the victim’s moral standard is at fault, that actually stealing or lying are good things. Conflicting parties rarely disagree about the moral principles. In practice, that’s exactly what we find. What’s more, they always expect their opponent to adhere to the same principles. What’s common to all these examples is that the offended party appeals to some kind of moral principle such as fairness or honesty. The key message here is: All human beings have an intuitive knowledge of the universal moral law. You’re lying.' So, just what does this love of quarreling say about us? They say things like 'Hey, I was there first,' or 'I helped you out, so you owe me.' And, of course, lovers are wont to make the accusation They say things like 'that’s not fair' and 'but mum, you promised!'Īnd it’s not just children – adults are just as prone to petty quibbling.

We all do it.Ĭhildren quarrel all the time. Quarreling is a distinctly human activity. To put it another way, we quarrel with one another. But, usually, we avoid physical altercations by using our words. When humans have disagreements with one another – which happens a lot – how do we resolve them?ĭo we fight it out like animals? Well, sometimes, sure.

Mere christianity book 1