when you start diving into the ten commandments as a content topic, you quickly realize that the concept is frequently copied; enzymology, structural equation modeling and motivating language learners all have commandments delivered from a firey mountain top by a dynamic individual. the famous philosopher, bertrand russell, also took on the challenge and employed the ten commandments with respect to expousing a philosophy. he described himself as an agnostic or an atheist.
his commandments are listed below. i have taken liberty to add commentary.
“the ten commandments that, as a teacher, i should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:
1. do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
[commentary: is there a difference between feeling and accepting certainty? there is the belief that we all come from the same creator? if society moves off of that point, it opens the doors to creating distinctions between people wth respect to the notion of inalienable rights. ]
2. do not think it worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
[commentary: in what time and place is this required? in a legal proceeding, in an academic argument, in a political debate, or in personal conversation? is there a difference with respect to forum?]
3. never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
[commentary: when creating or writing, there comes a point at which one needs to crystalize one’s thought into a paper or a project. one, however, should not be shy of continuing thought on the topic.]
4. when you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
[commentary: if humans were capable of being persuaded by facts and logic, authority would not exist. we live is a world were humans are challenged by their nature. humanity’s failure in garden of eden makes the point that we, as a species, have difficulties irrespective of authority.]
5. have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
[commentary: for those believing in american values, we accept the creator of the universe and humanity as an authority who provided inalienable rights. as such this authority allows the populace the ability to question other’s authority.]
6. do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
[this is good thought. given mr. russell’s liberal leanings, one would wonder where he would stand on big tech censorship.]
7. do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
[commentary: i am in total agreement. boldness can be a spark that sheds light on problems. many times those carrying the correct message to society are laughed at, mocked and viewed as pariahs.]
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 latter.
[commentary: there are two philosophies of thought; one, likes to embrace the one “smart” person and run with their beliefs, and, the other, enjoys many “smart” people collectively working on solutions. the results from these two systems are subject to much debate. ]
9. be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
[commentary: is there an obligation to be truthful when it is not indicated? does someone need to disclose something that is not necessary? sometimes, projecting negativity is unnecessary. for instance, telling someone who is on their deathbed that “they look great” to get them to smile in a depressing time could be considered appropriate.]
10. do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
[commentary: you are responsible for finding your own happiness in life. gaming one’s definition may help bring on happiness. finding happiness in the little things can perhaps be better that extended psychotherapy in conjunction with anti-depressant medications.
in sum, what do you think of what mr. russell formulated?
be well!
The Ten Commandments Project 