Custom has furnished the only basis which ethics have ever…
“Custom has furnished the only basis which ethics have ever had, and there is no conceivable human action which custom has not at one time justified and at another condemned”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Custom shapes ethical standards, justifying actions at one time and condemning them later.
In simple terms: Custom defines what is right, but can change over time.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral basis of traditions.
Themes
morality
custom
change
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- cultural shifts
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- When should tradition be challenged?
- How do we recognize evolving ethics?
A Different Perspective
Custom can perpetuate harmful practices.