This question arose during a discussion with my wife about the morality of being civil. I took a moral absolutist approach to it, stating it is never morally justified to act uncivil. She then asked me a question, from a utilitarian perspective, she asked "what if someone was attacking one of our kids? Would it not be morally justified to defend them?" Obviously, I would defend them, but I still hold to my original belief of moral absolutism. This question has me stumped...