 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
When we look for some more cogent refutation, we may find one which is intellectual or one which has its basis in our emotions. Intellectually, we may argue that “sin” is a mistaken conception, since every man’s acts are determined by his circumstances, over which he has only very partial control. (I shall examine this contention in the next chapter. ) Emotionally, we may find in ourselves either a negative feeling of impartiality or a positive feeling of universal benevolence; either of these, if strongly felt, will prevent us from adopting an ethic which divides mankind into sheep and goats. But neither can be proved cogent in arguments with a man whose emotions are different.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, (1954), chapter 5
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