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When one believes that there is a perfection towards which human beings should aim, both in their character and actions, in the cultivation of their souls and their relations with others, then one is in a position to discuss ethics. It seems apparent that the desirable qualities have not changed much since Plato and Aristotle: prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude still hold up pretty well as cardinal virtues. It seems as well that the basic rules are not so different: deal honestly and fairly, fulfill your primary obligations to family, friends, and community, be generous to those in distress, concern yourself more with being worthy of honors than with the honors themselves. Even were there improvements, it seems that one should learn the basics before going on to advanced courses. How many of those who are occupied with "spirituality" truly have down the basics?...In any event, the difficulty of getting agreement on the elements of ethics, or of getting people to agree that ethical values must be upheld, without accusations of self- righteousness, smugness, and intolerance, suggests that there is a decay in our culture that "spirituality" will not address, at least if spirituality is taken as something without positive demands, but rather as getting in touch with ones self.... |
