"Since no society can exist without order, and no order without regulation, we may take it as a rule of history that the power of custom varies inversely as the multiplicity of laws, much as the power of instinct varies inversely as the multiplicity of thoughts. Some rules are necessary for the game of life; they may differ in different groups, but within a grup they must be essentially the same. These rules may be conventions, customs, morals, or laws. Conventions are forms of behavior found expedient by a people; customs are conventions accepted by successive generations, after natural selection through trial and error and elimination; morals are such customs as the groups considers vital to its welfare and development. In primitive societies, where there was no written law, these vital customs or morals regulate every sphere of human existence, and give stability and continuity to the social order. Through the slow magic of time such customs, by long repetition, become a second nature to the individual; if he violates them he feels a certain fear, discomfort or shame; this is the origin of that conscience, or moral sense, which Darwin chose as the most impressive distinction between animals and men. In its higher development conscience is social consciousness -- the feeling of the individual that he belongs to a group, and owes it some measure of loyalty and consideration. Morality is the cooperation of the part with the whole, and of each group with some larger group. Civilization, course, would be impossible without it."
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.4, Introduction, 1935
"[We] may take it as a rule of history that the power of custom varies inversely as the multiplicity of laws, much as the power of instinct varies inversely as the multiplicity of thoughts. [...]"
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.4, Introduction, 1935
"[...] Through the slow magic of time such customs, by long repetition, become a second nature to the individual; if he violates them he feels a certain fear, discomfort or shame; this is the origin of that conscience, or moral sense, which Darwin chose as the most impressive distinction between animals and men.[...]"
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.4, Introduction, 1935
"[...] In its higher development conscience is social consciousness -- the feeling of the individual that he belongs to a group, and owes it some measure of loyalty and consideration. Morality is the cooperation of the part with the whole, and of each group with some larger group. [...]"
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.4, Introduction, 1935
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.4, Introduction, 1935
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