Charles Darwin Quotes About Ethics

• Of all the differences between man and the lower animals, the moral sense or conscience is by far the most important. This sense, as Mackintosh remarks, "has a rightful supremacy over every other principle of human action"; it is summed up in that short but imperious word "ought," so full of high significance. It is the most noble of all the attributes of man, leading him without a moment's hesitation to risk his life for that of a fellow-creature; or after due deliberation, impelled simply by the deep feeling of right or duty, to sacrifice it in some great cause.

  Charles Darwin

  Sacrifice, Animal, Men

  "The Descent of Man: Human Sexuality".

• I fully subscribe to the judgement of those writers who maintain that of all the differences between man and the lower animal, the moral sense of conscience is by far the most important....It is the most noble of all the attributes of man.

  Charles Darwin

  Animal, Hombres, Diferencias

• Ultimately a highly complex sentiment, having its first origin in the social instincts, largely guided by the approbation of our fellow-men, ruled by reason, self-interest, and in later times by deep religious feelings, confirmed by instruction and habit, all combined, constitute our moral sense or conscience.

  Charles Darwin

  Religious, Men, Self

  Charles Darwin (2010). “Evolutionary Writings: including the Autobiographies”, p.427, OUP Oxford

• El Sr. J.S. Mill habla, en su célebre obra "Utilitarismo", de los sentimientos sociales como un "poderoso sentimiento natural" y como "la base natural del sentimiento para la moral utilitaria", pero en la página anterior dice: "si, como es mi propia creencia, los sentimientos morales no son innatos, sino adquiridos, no por ello son menos naturales". Con vacilación me atrevo a disentir de un pensador tan profundo, pero difícilmente puede discutirse que los sentimientos sociales son instintivos o innatos en los animales inferiores; ¿y por qué no habrían de serlo en el hombre?

  Charles Darwin

  Powerful, Men, Animal

  Charles Darwin (1872). “The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex”, p.68

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