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Universal Ethics

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Also: Moral Core

Universal Ethics is a set of principles which apply to all humans, whether secular or religious, independent from any particular faith.


The compilation of Universal Ethics is not the base for a new religion: in particular it does not say anything about metaphysical or liturgical concepts of any kinds. That means that it does not give any explanation for the existence of the Universe (including the existence of man). It does not prescribe any particular ritual. It does not deal with the concept of God. It does not contain any myths, stories or immutable dogmas. Most importantly, Universal Ethics does not prescribe any formal changes for any existing or future creed.


Universal Ethics are a sort of Moral Constitution which is articulated as a set of specific ethical principles acceptable to all human beings. Under this ‘constitution’ all religions or secular groups can develop (or maintain) their own additional ethical principles.

Universal Ethics

Photo: Cynthia Baxter, United States

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Tolerance - Universal Ethics
All cultures are created equal, but some cultures are more equal than others

We children of the European enlightenment think that respect for other cultures is a higher human value.  But what do we make of cultures that don’t share this value?  How does cultural democracy deal with cultures that are intolerant?

When William Penn decreed that Toleration shall be the Law of the Land in the City of Brotherly Love, it was an act of political expediency.  It was no more than a prescription for harmony in a colony that was uncomfortably diverse.  Never for a moment did he entertain the idea that other religious philosophies were the equal of Quakerism.

But as a diverse city became the capital of a new and more diverse nation, the need for toleration became deeper, and the need for cultural relativism deepened.

Do you really believe that your values are as arbitrary as mine?  Or is cultural relativism a stance that we adopt in order to feel morally superior to people who are narrow-minded and provincial?


All cultures are created equal, but some cultures are more equal than others

We children of the European enlightenment think that respect for other cultures is a higher human value.  But what do we make of cultures that don’t share this value?  How does cultural democracy deal with cultures that are intolerant?

When William Penn decreed that Toleration shall be the Law of the Land in the City of Brotherly Love, it was an act of political expediency.  It was no more than a prescription for harmony in a colony that was uncomfortably diverse.  Never for a moment did he entertain the idea that other religious philosophies were the equal of Quakerism.

But as a diverse city became the capital of a new and more diverse nation, the need for toleration became deeper, and the need for cultural relativism deepened.

Do you really believe that your values are as arbitrary as mine?  Or is cultural relativism a stance that we adopt in order to feel morally superior to people who are narrow-minded and provincial?


Source

Source type: Website
Daily Inspiration
Josh Mitteldorf
"All Cultures . . . ; February 2, 2009"
http://daily-inspiration.org
Viewed on June 11, 2009
Contribution #3296

Source (click to close)

Source type: Website
Daily Inspiration
Josh Mitteldorf
"All Cultures . . . ; February 2, 2009"
http://daily-inspiration.org
Viewed on June 11, 2009
Contribution #3296


Universal Ethics
God Within
Whether or not there’s God, we know what’s good;
Some things we shouldn’t do and some we should:

We know it’s always better to be kind
Than cruel; another rule to keep in mind
Is what we do to others will come back
To recompense our love or haunt its lack.

We know our Earthly purpose is to flourish,
Become our truest selves, and then to nourish
That same self-realization in all others,
Regarding fellow creatures as our brothers.

We know these truths implicitly within
Our souls, encrusted though they be with sin;
Yet mindful mining of that buried gold
Is how we let our godliness unfold.

God Within

Whether or not there’s God, we know what’s good;
Some things we shouldn’t do and some we should:

We know it’s always better to be kind
Than cruel; another rule to keep in mind
Is what we do to others will come back
To recompense our love or haunt its lack.

We know our Earthly purpose is to flourish,
Become our truest selves, and then to nourish
That same self-realization in all others,
Regarding fellow creatures as our brothers.

We know these truths implicitly within
Our souls, encrusted though they be with sin;
Yet mindful mining of that buried gold
Is how we let our godliness unfold.

Source

Source type: Website
Alan Nordstrom
"Alan Nordstrom's Blog"
http://alan-nordstrom.blogspot.com/
Viewed on June 10, 2008
Contribution #1476

Source (click to close)

Source type: Website
Alan Nordstrom
"Alan Nordstrom's Blog"
http://alan-nordstrom.blogspot.com/
Viewed on June 10, 2008
Contribution #1476