Pints with Jack: The C.S. Lewis Podcast S1E5 – MC B1C3 – “The reality of the Law”
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Oct 22, 2017 Dive deep into the intriguing discussion about the reality of moral law. The hosts challenge whether moral standards are mere convenience or essential for society. They explore how moral law differs from natural laws and argue that it prescribes behavior rather than merely describing it. Hear them tackle the complexities of moral choices, often inconvenient yet ultimately rewarding. Using game theory, they reveal why morality isn't just about societal gain, leading to the conclusion that moral law is a profound reality, not a mere invention.
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Moral Law Is Prescriptive, Not Descriptive
- The moral law differs from physical laws because it prescribes how humans ought to behave, not just describes what they do.
- C.S. Lewis (via David and Matt) argues this prescriptive 'ought' points to a distinct kind of reality pressing on us.
Oughtness Isn't Just Inconvenience
- Inconvenience alone can't explain moral reactions because identical inconveniences produce different responses.
- Lewis shows we feel violated by principled wrongs even when inconvenienced identically or not at all.
Returning An Employer iPhone
- David recounts returning an iPhone to his employer instead of keeping it after quitting his job.
- He emphasizes that acting honestly was immensely inconvenient but guided by conscience.