Home


Ten Commandments ... or helping reason prevail in the struggle for civility

"Know thyself, develop principles in accordance with that self knowledge, and then be true to them." In accordance wih seeking the greatest good for the greatest number... the following are my top ten.

1. Question religion.
Throughout our evolutionary struggle religion served as part of the visceral glue holding tribes and communities together enabling them to thrive over others. Thus the desire to submit to religious authority became embedded in our biology and remains a powerful visceral drive in many. But in today's world it often seems to represent little other than dogmatic nonsense that impedes the advance of any semblance of civility. Due to its roots it is almost always divisive and provides the fuel feeding the fires of barbarism, war and hatred.

2. Question patriotism.
Likewise, our visceral voices often urge us to blindly march off to wars based on specious reasoning in the name of tribal or group loyalty. At times violence may be necessary as a tool to protect creativity and liberty from the barbarous, but it should be employed only after failing at attempts to resolve conflicts peacefully. Too often we cave to violence driven by our herd mentality tapping our inherent biases leading us to cave to violence before pausing to make the effort to find a peaceful way.

3. Consume as little as joyously possible.
Strive to be joyous. Consumption of food and shelter and many of the varied amenities of life may facilitate the struggle for comfort and happiness. But we should question the material we are tempted to acquire to assure as much as possible it will truly contribute to happiness and fulfillment. We should do this not only for our own security and happiness but for the welfare of all the life forms that sustain us and make our lives worth living.

4. Produce children only when they can be reasonably cared for.
Children may be an important part of life's joy. But bearing them when not prepared spiritually, emotionally, or economically is a form of child abuse. Irresponsible procreation is the main cause of poverty and not only hurts children, parents, society but often overwhelms ecosystems and the life forms they sustain.

5. Practice temperance.
There is an appropriate time and place for almost everything. But we should constantly reality check to assure we know the difference between use and the abuse that hurts ourselves, those who care for us and society in general.

6. Pursue justice.
As listed in the Preamble, the first reason for establishing the U.S. Constitution was the promotion of justice. And the pursuit of it is inherently embedded in our "biological conscience". The perception of injustice at any level will inevitably lead to friction and social fragmentation to the detriment of the success of any tribe or group. Justice means perceived "fairness" rooted in the principle of equality for all under the rule of the law. It means rewards and punishment based on behavior or performance. And it means punishment should fit the crime.

7. Seek and honor the truth.
It has been wisely said: "trust those who are searching for the truth and beware of those who claim to have found it". Honoring contracts and agreements is the foundation for a successful society and a successful life. The success of any struggle is contingent upon honoring truth based on a scientific foundation... and ignoring those who preach nonsense out of ignorance.

8. Defy bigotry.
We all have inherent biases but we should strive to overcome them and work for towards a performance based meritocracy in all of our social organizations. We should do this not only because it is just or fair, but because all other systems will be less efficient, less productive, and will inevitably result in exacerbating social tensions between groups.

9. Try not to harm innocent Life.
There are times when we must harm others in order to protect ourselves. And we must take life in order to provide food and sustenance. But we should revere to the extent possible the web of life forms that sustain us and make our lives worth living. Kill only when it is the only reasonable recourse.

10. Strive for the greatest good for the greatest number... for all Life.
Poverty is not an inherent human condition. It is mostly caused by individual irresponsible behavior often driven by poorly reasoned social programs. The poverty and harm we inflict on other life forms is a by-product of our own poverty and our continuing failure to address the causes that perpetuate it. We are all in this world together and no one is an island and what we do inherently affects the welfare of others. Consider the holistic effects of behavior and strive for long term wefare for all.