3.2 Differences between law and morality
Behaviour which is commonly regarded as immoral is often also illegal. However, legal and moral principles can be distinguished from each other. For instance, parking on a double yellow line is illegal but not commonly regarded as immoral.
| Law | Morality |
|---|---|
| Sanctions are invariably imposed for the infringement of a legal obligation | There is no official sanction for immoral behaviour, although society often creates its own form of censorship |
| Law is deliberately changed by Parliament and/or the courts | Morality cannot be deliberately changed, rather it evolves slowly |
| Legal principles need to incorporate a degree of certainty | Morality is invariably much more flexible and variable |