The visitor shrugged. "Like euthanasia? I'm sorry, Father…
““The visitor shrugged. "Like euthanasia? I'm sorry, Father, I feel that the laws of a society are what make something a crime or not a crime. I'm aware that you don't agree. And there can be bad laws, ill conceived, true. But in this case, I think we have a good law. If I thought I had such a thing as a soul, and that there was an angry God in Heaven, I might agree with you.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker argues that laws define crime, not morality, and that a good law can exist even without belief in a soul or divine punishment.
In simple terms: Laws decide crime, not personal belief.
Key Takeaway
Question the basis of legal morality.
Themes
law
morality
belief
society
justice
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- courtroom debates
- policy making
- ethical committees
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
legal philosophy
ethical relativism
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a law just?
- Can law be moral without religion?
A Different Perspective
Laws may be unjust even if they are accepted by society.