In earlier times, when suffering and early death were common in one's own life, one has fewer compunctions about inflicting them on others. And as technology and economic efficiency make life longer and more pleasant, one puts a higher value on life in general.
U prijašnjim vremenima, kada je patnja i preuranjena smrt bila uobičajna u životu pojedinca, bilo je manje grižnje savjesti oko nanošenja istih drugima. Kako tehnologija i gospodarska učinkovitost čine život dužim i ugodnijim, pojedinac više vrednuje život.