Two Standards to Live By

In our last blog, What am I?, we discussed our answer to that question:

(1) Humans are creatures that share things in common with animals and the Creator. They have the potential of acting like deadly predatory wild animals or acting like a mysterious entity that judges its actions by the TOV Standard.

(2) Humans are genetic memetic social creatures.

The first answer came from ancient wisdom text and the second from modern science. Ancient wisdom records time-tested observations about nature, human nature and human behaviors in its stories. Modern science reveals objective facts and creates models for testing “truth claims.” Scientists tell us what we are biologically, but they don’t tell us how to interact with each other. Religion often provides tremendous insights about how people should or should not treat each other, but not about what they are physically.

One of the amazing benefits of combining ancient wisdom and scientific facts in our research is that we discover things from them that are related and overlap. One example is the TOV Standard from ancient wisdom and Baby Morals from science (you won’t find a society where people don’t have some notion of Baby Morals). In this case ancient wisdom and science overlap to reveal two standards that could produce many benefits for individual lives and life in our society.  

1. The TOV Standard

● good = acts that protect or preserve lives, make lives more functional and/or increase the quality of life.

● evil = acts that kill, harm lives, make lives less functional and/or decrease the quality of life.

2. Epigenetic Baby Morals

● good/nice = people that are fair, loyal and kind.

● bad/nasty = people that cheat, are untrustworthy and indifferent to the pain of others.

What would happen if people used these standards when making decisions or judging human actions? It would mean that finding answers to these questions will be prerequisites for making decisions.

1. Whose lives will be protected or preserved?

2. Who will die or whose lives will be harmed?

3. Whose lives will become more functional?

4. Whose lives will become less functional?

5. Whose quality of life will be increased?

6. Whose quality of life will be decreased?

7. Will this be fair?

8. Will this be cheating?

9. Am I being loyal?

10. Am I being untrustworthy?

11. Is this kindness?

12. Is this cruelty?

Ancient wisdom also tells us to consider our answers to the questions above in light of our relationships to each of the following -- ourselves, spouses, children, family members, neighbors, cities and nation. Write down your answers, too.

Now consider what would happen if society just judged the actions of religious, political and business leaders that did acts like those below by their Baby Morals?  

● Leaders of religious institutions that cover up sexual abuses of their authorized representatives would be viewed as being unfair leaders and cheaters.

● Elected representatives that sell their votes to the biggest contributors would be viewed as untrustworthy and unfaithful representatives.  

● Business leaders that priced the basic requirements of human survival – healthcare, housing, food, education, energy – by making the highest profits possible would be viewed as cruel indifferent humans.

Ancient wisdom and modern science reveal two standards that have a great deal in common. They offer solid advice for making decisions and judging human actions. Would you like to learn more about this subject? Let us know you are interested by “Liking” and "Following" our Lives 1^st Facebook Page. Also visit the TOV Center website and you will find more options for staying up to date on our blogs and being aware of upcoming local and online events.

Would you like to participate in a local group in the DFW Metroplex area that will be led by Jeffrey Leynor and Jim Myers? We are looking for people to host monthly or semi-monthly meetings and people to participate in them. For more information call or email Rabbi Leynor (972-816-7281 / rabbi@tovcenter.org) or email Jim Myers (jim@tovcenter.org). These will be open safe environment for learning and interacting. The number of participants is limited, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you are interested.