My first blog post here...
I suspect most everyone who'll read this is familiar with the Ten Commandments in the Bible. We all know they're flawed. Where are the proscriptions against rape? Against kidnapping? Are wives really the property of their husbands?
Bertrand Russell came up with Ten Commitments that were labeled "an ethical and modern replacement for the Ten Commandments":
1. Do not lie to yourself.
2. Do not lie to other people, unless they are exercising tyranny.
3. When you think it is your duty to inflict pain, scrutinize your reasons closely.
4. When you desire power, examine yourself carefully as to why you desire it.
5. When you have power, use it to build up people, not to constrict them.
6. Do not attempt to live without vanity, since this is impossible, but choose the right audience from which to seek admiration.
7. Do not think of yourself as separate wholly self-contained unit.
8. Be reliable.
9. Be just.
10. Be good-natured.
While I agree that these are a definite improvement over the Biblical variety, I saw what I believed were some flaws. I gave the matter some not inconsiderable thought and came up with these:
Rocky's Ten Commitments:
1. Try to cause no unnecessary harm to yourself, to others, to animals, or to your environment.
2. Tell the truth unless doing so will harm others.
3. Be reliable and loyal.
4. Be fair and just.
5. Be generous and kind.
6. Be good-natured, gentle, and humble.
7. Be courageous.
8. Be patient, tolerant, and forgiving.
9. Act responsibly and accept responsibility for your actions.
10. Be curious and open-minded while thinking critically and skeptically.
Thanks to Dan Barker for the gist of the first two. And to Mr. Russell for some of the others.
These certainly aren't perfect. What should be added? Deleted? Altered?
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