<I think you left out the moral component, that for many
people it's just morally wrong, and they don't do things that
are morally wrong.>
Did I say anything that contradicts that? (Well, most of it. I have yet to meet a person who manages to get through life doing nothing morally wrong!) Those with stronger and more punitive superegos (egoes?), to use Freudian terminology, or more fear of going to hell, to use another, definitely are in the category where infidelity is no free lunch. It costs that man quite a lot to yield to the impulse to act on his desire to bed a woman not his wife.
If the keys of new Acura RSX's were left in the ignition switches at the car lot, along with a sign saying, "It wouldn't be at all nice, in fact it would be most dishonest, of anyone to steal these cars, but we will let your consciences be your guides, and won't be prosecuting anyone who does steal an Acura tonight," I dare say you'd see fewer Acuras on that lot by the morning. None, actually. |
