Origins of rules and ethics.
Which one is earlier? Rules or ethics? Of course we may argue this for a long time. However, it seems origins of ethics seems to be far deeper than rules. As rules to be established there has to be a proper language, at least a way of communicating the rules. Most often there should be a governing body, it may be a king or a leader of a Clan. And for enforcement of the rules there should be a monitoring system. Hence, we can assume rules were established after humans evolved into social animals. However, ethics, were there even before rules. As ethics are more fundamental aspect of any interaction of humans with others. Consider the fact that, we as humans take care of the elderly, kids and diseased individuals. This has been the evidence for social species.
There is a story that once, an archeologist asked a group of students what is the earliest evidence for our species have evolved into civilization? Some said it was pottery, some said it was the evidence of metal work, evidence of language. However, as the story goes, it was none of the above. Surprisingly it was a femur bone, which was healed. As the archologist explained, a fracture can heal on its own. However, it takes time. Specially in the era of ancient world, a person cannot live without walking for a few days unless there is someone else to care for you until the fracture heals. So, the femur bone which was healed was a definite sign that other humans cared for the injured one throughout this time. Which is evidence for civilization. So, Now, we are sometimes requested by the law to care for our elders, kids and diseased. However, in the ancient world there were no rules but there is evidence somebody did care about the disease. Indirectly this is evidence for ethics as well. Somehow ethics is carved into human nature than the laws.
If the ethics are by nature, why force with rules?
The problem is the outlaws. Although the nature of ethics is deeply engraved in us, there are some who naturally do not have this in their system. If allowed they can play havoc in a so called, civilized society. Because a society cannot prevail and flourish if 5% of the population became thieves and gangsters. They can suppress the majority and induce terror. So, any civilized society should maintain the common rules, so that peace and harmony prevail. So, by establishing rules, we suggest that our society is not 100% ethical.
So, the rules, are humanoid, while ethics are natural.
It seems rules are made by humans. As such are not seen among any other animal species. However, evidence of ethics you may even see in a BBC documentary of wild Dogs. Have you seen these packs hunt? They hunt as a group, organized than any other species, even surpassing the wolves. And once they hunt everyone gets their fair share. Although there are no rules, these dogs are bounded by ethics. Just like our ancestors who had only ethics to guide them when they started trading between different ethnic groups. So, it seems Ethics are natural. While rules are humanoid. Only in recent years that we figured out these ethics and tried to write them down. And this is a difficult task, just like anything which is associated with heart. It is not going to be easy to define something platonic, so often these are only vague guidelines.
Future of ethics.
As we have looked at the past, and the current state of affair between rules and ethics only thing left is future. Obviously, by now, you have understood the future is about ethics. As, attitude matters, ethics matters more than rules. As if everyone in a society can behave ethically, there would be no need for rules. At least this is what we should aim as a society although it will be an impossible dream. Imagine such a society which without a judicial system. As judicial system prevails only because there are unethical behavior prevails. Such a society would be nothing but a heaven, with humans living like Gods. Rarely I find such beings live in our society, and they are hard to come by. Often, they are labelled as fools when they do not take every opportunity as they weigh themselves against ethics. And I think it is fair them to be reborn in the God's realm once they are dead, not us.
Question
When are we willing to change?
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