The Moral Law isn't any one instinct or any set of…
““The Moral Law isn't any one instinct or any set of instincts: it is something which makes a kind of tune (the tune we call goodness or right conduct) by directing the instincts. (...) The most dangerous thing you can do is to take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing you ought to follow at all costs. There's not one of them which won't make us into devils if we set it up as an absolute guide. You might think love of humanity in general was safe, but it isn't. If you leave out justice you'll find yourself breaking agreements and faking evidence in trials 'for the sake of humanity,' and become in the end a cruel and treacherous man.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral law guides instincts into a harmonious tune of goodness; no single impulse should dominate as absolute.
In simple terms: Moral law balances instincts, preventing any one drive from becoming destructive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate justice and balance, not single impulses.
Themes
morality
balance
justice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- leadership
- lawmaking
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure multiple values guide your actions?
- What checks prevent a single desire from dominating?
A Different Perspective
Relying on a single instinct can lead to cruelty or betrayal.