Moral law is an invention of mankind for the disenfranchisement of the powerful in favor of the weak. Historical law subverts it at every turn. A moral view can never be proven right or wrong by any ultimate test. A man falling dead in a duel is not thought thereby to be proven in error as to his views. His very involvement in such a trial gives evidence of a new and broader view.
The author argues that moral law is created by humans to protect the vulnerable while undermining the dominance of the powerful. This perspective suggests that established laws often contradict moral principles, revealing a struggle between ethical beliefs and practical realities. Such contradictions can be seen in historical events where the enforcement of the law fails to align with moral righteousness.
Furthermore, the text posits that there is no ultimate test to determine the validity of moral opinions. For instance, a person's death in a duel does not necessarily imply that their beliefs were flawed; instead, it reflects a more expansive understanding of moral complexities. This illustrates that moral views are subjective and cannot be definitively judged, emphasizing the gray areas in human ethics.
