A mother is loading up her car with the grocery shopping she just bought when she notices that her two year old is grasping something that wasn’t paid for.
Now if the mother were to berate the two year old, the majority of people would agree that this is completely unfair. The two year old didn’t know what they were doing was wrong, so being reprimanded for it is out of order.
As an audience we’d feel a simple lesson on what you’re allowed to take from the shop would be more appropriate.
Now if a 25 year old (with a sane mind) were to do the same thing, any punishment that came their way would be considered just, because they knew they were committing an illegal act and they did it anyway.
Our morale code likes to take into account the intent behind the act.
Thomas Duggan 