All the particular moral judgments we intuitively make are…
“All the particular moral judgments we intuitively make are likely to derive from discarded religious systems, from warped views of sex and bodily functions, or from customs necessary for the survival of the group in social and economic circumstances that now lie in the distant past.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our instinctive moral judgments often stem from outdated religious, sexual, or survival‑based customs.
In simple terms: Moral judgments come from old beliefs.
Key Takeaway
Question the origins of your moral views.
Themes
ethics
culture
history
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- debating ethical dilemmas
- examining cultural traditions
- educational curricula on ethics
Key Concepts
moral psychology
social evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- Which of your moral intuitions might be outdated?
- How can we discern useful traditions from harmful ones?
A Different Perspective
Not all inherited morals are harmful; some may still hold value.