Unrestricted individual freedom leads toward anarchy. The group can control and limit individual freedom, but unrestricted group control leads the individual towards repression, servitude, and totalitarianism.
Left to their own devices, groups tend to use individuals as pawns, as means to the group ends. The group tends to concentrate the power of choice to a few leaders and remove the power of choice from the many.
The larger and more powerful the group, the fewer choices left for the individual.
Rule Two of the "Universal Morality". The more freedom of choice the group allows each individual, and the more the group protects all individuals equally from other individuals and groups who would unfairly limit personal choice, the more moral the behavior of the group becomes.
The Universal Morality is really based on the conflict between the individual and the group. It is based on finding that "sweet spot" where the individual is willing to give up some of his free choice in order to secure his right to other, more important choices. It is where the group is willing to cede some of its control in order to allow each individual the right to choose for themselves.
Finding the "sweet spot" is a never ending, constantly evolving, battle. Each generation must renew the fight to define the balance between group and individual.
But, if you believe in the Three Building Blocks and in the Universal Morality, they will lead you to the modern concepts of individual liberty and the rule of law...and I believe they will get you there whether you believe in a Creator or not.
Universal Morality is the benchmark by which all other moral codes can be evaluated. Its purpose is to evaluate the behavior of individuals and/or groups.
Are agreements between individuals and groups entered into willingly and knowingly, or are they done under duress? Are the agreements done in a fair, open, and honest manner, or are they based on cheating, lies, or force?
The relationship between Universal Morality and how it relates to religion, politics, and government, will be discussed more fully in future posts.
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