Morality and Law

This from Scotland:

Iain Ramsay (Letters, 15 April) is mistaken in claiming: "The law, as it stands, is the 'moral spokesperson'." Morality and the law are not the same thing.

The law does not say particular actions are right or wrong, only that they are permitted or prohibited. The question of what we ought to do in any situation is not the same as the question of what is legally permitted or obligatory. Obedience is not the same as moral virtue. Even if it is a virtue, it is not the only one. That we were only obeying orders will not always be a sound excuse for our actions, no matter to whom or to what we were being obedient – even to God almighty.

(PROF) HUGH V McLACHLAN

School of Law and Social Sciences

Glasgow Caledonian University

Mr. Ramsey's opening line:

Since we are ignorant of the purpose of life, morality must be a matter for consensus

Yikes.