The Model
Thus systems ethical theory hypothesizes that ethical behavior
develops with time and conditions through a definable series of
stages. The stages are seen as pre-programmed in a somewhat
MacDougalian instinctive sense. Each stage is dependent for its
emergence, upon certain dynamical states in the brain that are
released by certain life circumstances. It represents that when
certain phenomenological conditions arise in the life of a person,
a clan, a society or possibly a nation that a certain form of
ethical behavior will be associated with these phenomenological
conditions.
The theory suggests that under life circumstances A(lc), when
dynamical system A(o) is met with releasor conditions A(r) that
the ethical state of affairs A will arise. Stage A would be one of
no morality. When phenomenological conditions change and factors
B(lc), B(o) and B(r) are present the M thema of ethical behavior
will arise. Then as factors C(lc), C(o) and C(r) come to exist
ethical behavior based on the N thema will emerge, etc. possibly
ad infinitum, possible to some final end.
It hypothesizes that each emerging ethical system, after the
first amoral stage, has a basic thema with specific values as to
what is right and wrong in behavior stemming from this thema. In
particular circumstances each ethical system may emphasize some
values of the thema and may minimize other values. Each ethical
system may, if conditions are right, develop its normally
pre-programmed from or it may, depending on conditions, become a
mostrum in excessu or a monstrum in defectu.
The theory proposes, also, that the N system of ethics always
follows the M system with the O system to follow the N and the P
system to follow O, etc. But the theory allows for variation from
the M or N thema. It does propose that in the beginning of man’s
emergence from animal like to human like behavior the first
ethical thema by which he will live will be M. But, it proposes
also, that in another set of life circumstances, at the same level
of emergence the M thema will be particularized as M(1) a variant
on the thema M. These thematic variations must be hypothesized to
be consistent with the concept of dynamic brain systems because
dynamic systems consist of sub-family dynamic systems wherein each
is in contact with all other dynamic systems. Thus, the
intellectual system, the motivational system, the feeling system,
the perceptual system and the ethical system are all in contact.
Therefore if changes in one are not sufficient to restructuralize
thoroughly the others the resultant is a variation on the thema of
the moment rather than the emergence of a new thema. And, new
thema emerges only if the change in one system is so great as to
restructuralize all others. An example of the latter would be the
arisal of new intellectual insights enabling certain humans to
make the problem of survival relatively assured. Such a change, in
a dynamic family, would be sufficient to spontaneously reorganize
all other sub families and would be sufficient to move those
humans to the next ethical developmental stage.
One other aspect of the theory should be understood. It
pertains to the fate of the particular values of right and wrong
within each ethical system. All of the previous ideas as to what
is right in behavior and what is wrong in behavior do not
necessarily change as man’s ethical concepts evolve from the M
thema, to the N thema and later in time to the O thema? Not all
values change. Some of the specific values of the B-M system of
ethics will remain as part of the C-N system of ethics. Also when
the D-O system of ethics arises there will still be recurrent
values from the B-M system but this reminder of B-M values will be
less in the D-O system than in the C-N system.
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