My Ten Commandments.
Where does morality come from? Maybe, it is learnt from the structure of the society that you live in, but does that mean there is one list of instructions which covers everything and is unchanging? In my opinion, no. Take The Ten Commandments from the Christian religion, although there is mention of only six, that I would call universal moral principals.
It is possibly far more interesting philosophically, psychologically and practically to note the moral principals that were not included. The first being jealously, as that is the emotion that would cause multiple actions of harm. Many times blind jealous rage has caused one to commit actions, that later one might heavily regret.
Try to tell the truth at all times, is a good principal but could pose a moral dilemma, especially when telling the truth could cause or even contribute to a loss of life.
A prevalent action now and since the dawn of time, and could or should have been included in the famously notable ten, is of course though shall not rape.
Close following that, is slavery. Thy shall not enslave your fellow person. However some form of slavery, has been after much debate and effort, reduced or in some cases stopped. Even so, the historical act of slavery still has its defenders, as they view slavery as a social benefit. In these instances people profit from a potential contract into a form of slavery. If society or even a part of it, accepts a certain action to be moral at one time, should it be kept forever? I think not.
A very important commandment could have been, do not kill people or incite others to do the same. This does not imply the situations whereby unintentionally, through self defence, mean that as a consequence the aggressor dies.
Another common practice that could very well have been stated is do not blackmail or cause harm either mentally or physically, and this would especially include torture.
In fact you should treat your fellow person in the best way possible, as if they were yourself and how you would like to be treated. This of course is taken from the golden rule, that was mentioned by Jesus and Confucius, who lived five hundred years earlier. It is possible that the saying may have originated even earlier.
Having a healthy moral compass is a personal conscious act. It is something worth striving for by reviewing the consequences of every decision. Laws in general are devised with the intention to preserve the structure of that society. That is why some laws may not appear to be very moral when they cause more harm than good.
It is possibly far more interesting philosophically, psychologically and practically to note the moral principals that were not included. The first being jealously, as that is the emotion that would cause multiple actions of harm. Many times blind jealous rage has caused one to commit actions, that later one might heavily regret.
Try to tell the truth at all times, is a good principal but could pose a moral dilemma, especially when telling the truth could cause or even contribute to a loss of life.
A prevalent action now and since the dawn of time, and could or should have been included in the famously notable ten, is of course though shall not rape.
Close following that, is slavery. Thy shall not enslave your fellow person. However some form of slavery, has been after much debate and effort, reduced or in some cases stopped. Even so, the historical act of slavery still has its defenders, as they view slavery as a social benefit. In these instances people profit from a potential contract into a form of slavery. If society or even a part of it, accepts a certain action to be moral at one time, should it be kept forever? I think not.
A very important commandment could have been, do not kill people or incite others to do the same. This does not imply the situations whereby unintentionally, through self defence, mean that as a consequence the aggressor dies.
Another common practice that could very well have been stated is do not blackmail or cause harm either mentally or physically, and this would especially include torture.
In fact you should treat your fellow person in the best way possible, as if they were yourself and how you would like to be treated. This of course is taken from the golden rule, that was mentioned by Jesus and Confucius, who lived five hundred years earlier. It is possible that the saying may have originated even earlier.
Having a healthy moral compass is a personal conscious act. It is something worth striving for by reviewing the consequences of every decision. Laws in general are devised with the intention to preserve the structure of that society. That is why some laws may not appear to be very moral when they cause more harm than good.
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