Saturday, September 27, 2008
Instructions and Commands
If there could be one all-inclusive comment regarding “human nature” it would be that we simply don’t come with a set of instructions. While some thoughts and behaviors are rare or eccentric (even dangerous) to a particular context or humanity as a whole, all are “natural” by virtue of the fact that they occur at all. This doesn’t of course mean that all human behaviors are equally preferable or even acceptable in a Just or civilized society.
“Instructions” as how to live or act are often seen in various religious texts or the dogma of pseudo-religious political ideologies. Sometimes the “wisdom” of their proclamations is apparent, if for no other reason than mere practical consideration – eating pork 3000 years ago would have been a risky indulgence. Regardless of the occasional wise phrase, “instructions” born of religious thought or political creed must ultimately be accepted on faith and faith is not necessarily logical or even verifiable. In objective appraisal, we always find ourselves back in the same situation -- humans come with no instructions. We can only hope that the ones drawn up by fellow humans are practical and keep most of us relatively free, safe, and in a state of potential progress.
All too often, the instructions of “men” are no more than commands to obey the whims of control freaks with too much time on their hands and to little genuine productive capacity. Although a tyrant may see their imposed standards as being good for all, “all” may not agree (it’s virtually impossible that they all would).
Instructions are good for airplane models, small appliances, and Christmas toys. To outline standards for living amongst diverse human character, ...maybe not so much.
