On social consciousness

If the ancient Romans had not the wide conception of humanity we have today it is not the result of an error due to the narrowness of their understanding, but simply that such ideas were incompatible with the nature of the Roman world... the changes produced in the structure of societies have made necessary the change in customs. The moral law, then is formed, transformed, and maintained in accordance with changing demands.

Durkheim, The division of labor in society, p. 33