Looking at atheist commandments
Perhaps the more well-known moral principles in the world are the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments. This is not very well deserved. I have discussed elsewhere my opinion on these principles (for the Golden Rule, see here, for the Ten Commandments, see here). Suffice it to say that they are primitive and hardly suitable for human life.
However some more valiant attempts have been made to elaborate a system of ten principles which would be auspicious to human life. Incidentally, it is perhaps interesting to think about the reason for the number of ten - this may be due to our numerical system. It is not obvious that a sufficient amount of moral principles must be equal to ten : it may be five, fifty, or any other number.
Of course, the question may arise on what "sufficient" means. It seems to me that in this case, a system that covers most usual decisions may be "sufficient".
I will give two of the attempts I mentioned. The first is from Solon the Athenian (approx. 638-558 BCE), argued by some as being the father of modern civilisation :
1. Trust good character more than promises.
2. Do not speak falsely.
3. Do good things.
4. Do not be hasty in making friends, but do not abandon them once made.
5. Learn to obey before you command.
6. When giving advice, do not recommend what is most pleasing, but what is most useful.
7. Make reason your supreme commander.
8. Do not associate with people that do bad things.
9. Honor the gods.
10. Have regard for your parents.
(see Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 1.60)
The other is from the famous Rationalist, Bertrand Russell :
1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
2. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition... endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do, the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every "opinion" now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the later.
Latest Articles