Re:Laws based on Morals. (Score 1)

"[T]he philosopher Dan Dennett points out that the last thing we want in a soul is freedom to do anything it desires. If behavior were chosen by an utterly free will, then we _really_ couldn't hold people responsible for their actions. That entity would not be deterred by the threat of punishment, or be ashamed by the prospect of opprobrium, or even feel the twinge of guilt that might inhibit a sinful temptation in the future[...].

"Morality and law would be pointless. We could punish a wrongdoer, but it would be sheer spite, because it could have no predictable effect on the future behavior of the wrongdoer or of other people aware of the punishment."

Pinker, Steven. _The Blank Slate._ New York: Penguin, 2002. p. 177