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and oh yes, Metta
thank you
posted by
Xeno-x
on June 27, 2005 at 6:22 AM
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Fair enough.
But there will be trouble in defining what constitutes harm, and what good. We could use a standard of physical and mental health, but some people question whether mental health can be objectively evaluated. I still think that general indicators of health and wellness are useful because they are so widely understood and accepted. Then we could move on to demanding that measures be implemented which will increase health and wellness for the greatest number without unduly sacrificing anyone. This standard would be hard to argue with. Someone could defend suffering (and by extension its infliction) on grounds that it will improve someone's health in the long-run ("Pain is weakness leaving the body." -- the Marines) but the one arguing that would have to demonstrate that the suffering produces the promised benefits. Long-term injury, or death, would obviously impugn the infliction of suffering that caused it. In one version of Islam, for instance, it is legitimate to mutilate someone's body as punishment -- the person who defended this might argue that it enhances the health of the community by deterring crime. We would argue that this is cruel, torturous, punishment, and that more humane means could achieve the same salutary result. But the mere invocation of the principle "do no harm -- cause no injury or death; cause health and wellness" would not satisfy some who would still defend mutilation as punishment.
posted by
Dyl_Pickle
on June 26, 2005 at 6:59 PM
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Empty Handed Painter,
I don't consider those to be new commandments. Do no harm falls within the commandment, thou shalt not kill and the other falls under love thy neighbor as thyself. The thought is beautiful though and I agree completely. You have a real way with words. I always enjoy reading your posts.
posted by
RAME
on June 26, 2005 at 9:44 AM
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posted by
Metta
on June 25, 2005 at 9:40 AM
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I wouldn't consider them to be "new" commandments
Rather still the
only two needed!
posted by
David1Spirit
on June 25, 2005 at 8:15 AM
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