Dogs, humans, and moral training

Dogs feel guilt without having moral beliefs, either in the impossible sense (ho, ho) or in the possible sense.

(For that distinction see the earliest posts labeled “amoralism.”)

Humans can do the same, though in our society, broadly speaking, only moral skeptics lack moral beliefs in both senses.

Dogs and other trainable animals respond usefully to coercion, intimidation, bribery, violence, displays of affection, shaming, ridicule, contempt, and the whole carrot and stick thing.

Humans included.

Moral skeptics included.

Hence amoralists included.

As a general rule, anyway.