I am trying to understand what you are saying in your last para:
> When humans break our exceptions, we judge them, since we know humans can and often are better than that. When animals break our exceptions, if ever, we are surprised, as this is rare and unnatural.
What do you mean by "unnatural"? Can you give examples for
(a) humans
(b) poodles
(c) jackals
Some people believe that their moral code is given to them by god, some try to base their moral code on logic, some people integrate the code held in their society and don't think about it very much.
> What do you mean by "unnatural"? Can you give examples for
humans - I'm not sure what do you mean by that. It is natural for humans to have their behavior influenced by moral causes. It is unnatural for humans to have no moral code, I guess, or to consistently behave in a way that is not influenced by any moral code.
poodles - I guess it will be unnatural for a poodle to refuse a treat in reward for something that another poodle did, on the basis that the treat should be given to the other poodle.
jackals - It will probably be unnatural for a jackal to hunt an healthy creature instead of a sick one, just because the sick one is a parent who tends to young ones, even if he could do so with a little bit more effort.
No. I guess you refer to debating moral dilemma in your head, but that's only one aspect of morality.
Not all people share the same moral code, but we do expect all human cultures to have a moral code, and we expect humans to act on it's basis, despite their natural instincts and the rather arbitrary moral rules specific to their culture.
Meanwhile we expect animal to behave according to their natural instincts.
When humans break our exceptions, we judge them, since we know humans can and often are better than that. When animals break our exceptions, if ever, we are surprised, as this is rare and unnatural.