(September 2, 2018 at 3:33 am)robvalue Wrote: That's a good point. Deciding when the theft is and isn't moral would be way too subjective for a justice system to work, so practicality has to win out again.
Most people would consider lying to be immoral, I would guess. But policing this would be a disaster. Of course, it is illegal in particular circumstances.
The trouble is that moralism tends to deal in absolutes - all theft is immoral, it is always wrong to lie, and so on. The law, at least, makes gradations for certain acts - simple vs. aggravated assault, grand vs. petty theft, etc. To refer back to the example above, I could easily get years in prison for stealing your car, but only pay a small fine for nicking a loaf of bread.
I agree that most people would consider lying to be immoral, but it's lucky that lying isn't always illegal. If I lie in court, the hammer falls. If I lie to a new mum by telling her that her baby is beautiful when I actually think it looks like a poorly shaved ape, I can't get in trouble for it (unless she reads this - sorry, Lucy).
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
