Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
Charles DarwinRead
Ultimately a highly complex sentiment, having its first origin in the social instincts, largely guided by the approbation of our fellow-men, ruled by reason, self-interest, and in later times by deep religious feelings, confirmed by instruction and habit, all combined, constitute our moral sense or conscience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explains that our moral sense is shaped by social instincts, reason, self-interest, and religious influences.
Charles Darwin highlights the complexity of human morality, suggesting that our conscience is a product of multiple influences, including social approval, rational thought, individual desires, and religious teachings. Over time, these factors intertwine through learning and habitual behaviors, ultimately forming what we understand as moral sense or conscience.
Themes
MoralityConscienceSocialReasonReligionInfluence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the development of human morality during a philosophy class.
More from Charles Darwin
All quotes →The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
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I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science....It is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw[s] & holes as sound parts.
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We cannot fathom the marvelous complexity of an organic being; but on the hypothesis here advanced this complexity is much increased. Each living creature must be looked at as a microcosm--a little universe, formed of a host of self-propagating organisms, inconceivably minute and as numerous as the stars in heaven.
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I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
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we are always slow in admitting any great change of which we do not see the intermediate steps
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