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Since survival is the sine qua non, I now define the "moral behavior" as "behavior that tends toward survival".
Robert A. Heinlein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Moral behavior is defined as actions that promote survival.

In this quote, Heinlein emphasizes that moral behavior should be fundamentally aligned with the principle of survival. He suggests that actions can be considered ethical or moral if they contribute positively to the survival of individuals or society as a whole, linking ethics to the essential need for existence.

Themes

MoralitySurvivalEthicsBehaviorExistence

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethical dilemmas in survival situations, this quote can highlight the importance of survival in moral decisions.

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