ETHICS   RESPONSE FORM Topic Index
  1. The basis of morality might be (although it probably needs some refinement) that authority and control can only be imposed (by some sort of force) on those who have freely, without duress of any sort and in full knowledge of the consequences, agreed to accept it, or on those who have broken this rule (ie imposed control by force on somebody who hasn't agreed to accept their authority), or those who are not mature enough to understand it, ie minors. The rule requires that minorities who refuse to accept an authority recognised by the majority should not be imposed upon unless they break the rule, this should allow different groups accepting different authorities to live together without conflict.??????????????
  2. Imposition of authority and control on someone who had not agreed to accept it would include physical attack, theft, fraud, deception and disturbance of any kind, of course.
  3. To become a citizen of a country one should have to accept the authority and control of the law, police force and judiciary of that country.
  4. Another moral rule might forbid the deliberate representation of opinion as fact, the supernatural teachings of the various religions should be measured against this rule. (Actually this is covered by 1. and deception in 2.)
  5. The subject of ethics and morality is so fundamental it should be compulsory with no students being excused for religious or other reasons.
  6. Where conflicts occur between teaching given by schools and that given by parents, pupils will have to be taught to use their own reason and conscience to resolve the problem.