“Now then, take this case. If a
father who is not a physician and not experienced in matters of health or
sickness should prescribe for his invalid son something which was harmful and
injurious, and the son was aware of that fact, surely in not following his
father's prescription he is not disobeying and is not disobedient, is he? It
would not seem so.
“Or again, suppose the father
himself were ill and should demand wine and food which he ought not to have,
and which probably would aggravate his illness if he took it, and his son,
realizing this, would not give it to him, surely he is not disobeying his
father, is he? Certainly, one cannot think so.”
Far too often we assume a tension between what
others ask us to do and what we want to do, between obedience and
self-expression, between following authority and following ourselves.
It is only my own ignorance, however, that has ever
made me think that these aspects need to be in opposition to one another. Our obligations
to Nature are always in harmony, whether we discern them from outside of us or from
inside of us.
Whatever the source of the duty may be, what
inherently makes it a duty is that it is in the service of what is right.
Where could there ever be a responsibility to do
myself harm? How might I possibly be required to permit another to come to
harm? If I correctly understand what is beneficial to all who share in human
nature, I will not let myself be confused by any supposed conflicts of
interest.
“I feel bad that I treated you unfairly, but the
boss said I had to do it.” The wishes of my boss, whatever his status or title,
do not take any precedence over justice.
“I’m sorry I didn’t show you the respect you
deserve, but I had to follow my conscience.” If I was actually following an
informed conscience, then that would have included giving everyone proper
respect.
And an informed conscience is really the key, isn’t
it? If I am certain I am following virtue, then I am also being obedient to the
all of the right people, in all of the best ways.
If I am not certain about what I should be doing,
then it might be best to follow the guidance of someone else who has already given
every indication of understanding.
In either case, one and same duty is being served.
I have no obligation to take poison as a medicine, whoever
might tell me to do so, and I have no obligation to give anyone at all
something that will do him harm. No one is ever dishonored by pursuing the good.
Written in 3/2000
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