Conscience In Individual Functioning: Self-Deception And Moral Self-Biases

Abstract

Bright Lines are important anchors for morality, triggers for instant reactions that lead us to try to avoid certain thoughts and behaviors. Bright Lines are "third rails” powering our sense of self. Just like touching the electrified third rail of a mass transit system leads to unpleasant feelings (to say the least), so does crossing a Bright Line. For some people, the negative feelings can occur if they even consider crossing a Bright Line. Thus, Bright Lines carry with them an inherent justification for not being crossed.

How do you get an honest man to lose his ethical compass? You get him to take one step at a time, and self-justification will do the rest.

Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson¹