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Ethical Maxims [message #40381]

Thu, 11 January 2007 09:33

JFR

On fire!

Location: Israel
Registered: October 2004
Messages: 1367

In the western hemisphere in which most of us live more and more people are becoming alienated from religion (all religions) and many have adopted atheism or agnosticism as a working philosophy. It is possible that by the end of this century religion, as we know it, will be acknowledged only by a fringe minority.

I think that is is fair to say that much of the ethics upon which western society is based derive originally from religious teachings (though often they have undergone a secular reformulation). But surely, even a society which professes no religious affiliations would need lofty teachings and maxims from which it can derive inspiration and direction.

I thought that it might be interesting if we could compile a list of teachings and maxims that people here have that inform their ethical path in life?

It's only fair that I set the ball rolling. Here are three statements (two of them from my own cultural/religious tradition) that have meaning for me. There could be more later.

1. Never do to anyone else what you would not like them to do to you.
2. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
3. The world rests on three pillars: on justice, on truth and on peace.

What do you find right or wrong with these statements? What statement or statements do you have that have an ethical meaning for you?

J F R

[Updated on: Thu, 11 January 2007 17:04]

The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)

		Ethical Maxims By: JFR on Thu, 11 January 2007 09:33
		Re: Ethical Maxims By: jack on Thu, 11 January 2007 11:10
		Re: Ethical Maxims By: NW on Thu, 11 January 2007 11:36
		Re: Ethical Maxims By: NW on Thu, 11 January 2007 11:12
		A belated contribution. By: cossie on Mon, 15 January 2007 04:23
		Re: A belated contribution. By: NW on Mon, 15 January 2007 13:26
		And you thought that was long? By: cossie on Tue, 16 January 2007 04:20
		Only a few points. By: NW on Tue, 16 January 2007 17:25
		Re: And you thought that was long? By: electroken on Tue, 16 January 2007 17:56
		OK, I'll stick to the points you've raised. By: cossie on Wed, 17 January 2007 04:43

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