Full Idea
The three forms of moral life (respect for persons, the pursuit of virtue and natural sympathy) all depend, in the last analysis, on piety, which is the deep-down recognition of our frailty and dependence.
Gist of Idea
All moral life depends ultimately on piety, which is our recognition of our own dependence
Source
Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.56)
Book Reference
Scruton,Roger: 'Animal Rights and Wrongs' [Demos 1996], p.56
A Reaction
MacIntyre agrees. 'Piety' is an odd word, which attempts to link the point to religious teachings. 'Dependence' seems an adequate term. But can fully independent creatures dispense with morality? I think not.