C.S. Lewis writes,
"In reality, moral rules are directions for running the human machine. Every moral rule is there to prevent a breakdown, or a strain, or a friction, in the running of that machine. That is why these rules at first seem to be constantly interfering with our natural inclinations. When you are being taught how to use any machine, the instructor keeps on saying, "No, don't do it like that," because, of course, there are all sorts of things that look all right and seem to you the natural way of treating the machine, but do not really work." (emphasis mine)
"Ideals" are what people convince themselves are the right way to go about things. These self-imposed ideals can vary from person to person. For instance when someone says, "As long as you're a good person..." that means something different to everyone. Some say a "good person" just does what they want without hurting anyone. Others might say being a "good person" means that you don't kill, lie, steal, or have sex before marriage. This second person's "ideals" can easily lead to pride, when they begin to consider their 'ideals' better or more 'ideal' than the first person's. Without definitive rules of morality people are prone to that trap of pride. They expect to be congratulated for their superior "sense of morality."
C.S. Lewis writes,
"In reality you might just as well expect to be congratulated because,
whenever you do a sum, you try to get it quite right. To be sure,
perfect arithmetic is "an ideal"; you will certainly make some mistakes
in some calculations. But there is nothing very fine (aka impressive)
about trying to be quite accurate at each step in each sum. It would be
idiotic not to try; for every mistake is going to cause you trouble
later on. In the same way every moral failure is going to cause trouble,
probably to others and certainly to yourself. By talking about
rules and obedience instead of "ideals" and "idealism" we help to remind
ourselves of these facts." (definition, emphasis mine haha)
Just something to think about. I thought those were some good ways of putting it.
Reminds me a little of the debate last night.
