PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

The Moral Sense. 53
Another considerable objection to the system of
moral instinct is this, tbat there are no m~xjms in
the science, which can well be deemed in1lllte, as none
perhaps can be assigned, which are absolutely and u­
niversally true; in other words, whkh rl:J not bend
to circumstances. Veracity, which seems, if any be, a
natural duty, is excused in many cases, towards an
enemy, a thief, or a madman. The obligatiBn of
promises, which is a first principle in moraiity, de ..
pends upon the circumstances under which they were
made: they may have been unlawful, or become so
since, or inconsistent with former promises, or errolle09S,
or extorted; under all whicb cases, instances
may be suggested, where the obligation to perform
the promise would be very dubious, and so of most
other general rules, when they come to be actually
applied.
An argument has also been proposed on the saIne
side. of the question of this kind. T ogelher with
the instinct, there Illust have been implanted, it is
said, a clear and precise idea of the object upon
which it was to attach. The instinct and the idea
of the object are inseparable even in imagination, and
as necessarily accompany each other as any correlaave
ideas whatever; that is, in plainer terms, if we ...
be prom)lted by nature to the approiYcltion of partic- .
ular actions, we must have received also froUl nature
a distinct conception of the action we are thus
promted to approve; which we certainly have not
received.
But as this argument bears alike against all in. I
stincts, and against their existence in brutes as well as :
in men, it will hardly, I suppose, produce convictiov.,
though it may be difficult to find an answer to it.
Upon the whole, it seems to me, either that there
exists no such instincts as compose what is called the
~oral sense, or that they are not now to be distin.
guished from prejudices and habits; on which account
they cannot be depended upon in moral rea.,