The Development of Morality

In this chapter, the authors distinguish between three stages in the development of morality: the level of instinct, the level of custom and the level of conscience. Morality today in most parts of the world is largely a matter of custom with, here and there, individuals reflecting on moral matters, and, under the guidance of conscience, refusing to accept the customs of their country or class or ‘set’. A survey of social history as it is known to us does show that on the whole, in spite of periods of sinking into merely customary ways, there has actually been a development from the level of custom in the direction of the level of conscience. The wilful torturing of animals which until a century ago was among the most common of English sports has, except for the barbarous relics of fox-hunting and cock-fighting, almost disappeared.