Man at his lowest level of behavior would have no ethics. He would not be an organism behaving by moral principles. He would develop his first ethical system, the sacrificial ethic, only when he has solved, in a rudimentary way, the problem of staying alive. The thema may be "thou shalt suffer in this life to prove thyself worthy of everlasting life." The values would be something like denial, abstinence, modesty, piety, deference, self-sacrifice, no self indulgence and harsh self discipline.

The second level ethic arising when life has been assured if one follows the rules we may find is the might is Right ethic, the authoritarian-submission ethic. Fealty and loyalty, service and noblesse oblige would be the cornerstone of this ethic. Morality at this level is based on the right way to behavior as determined by those in power.

The third ethic would be the group conformistic ethic. Conformity based on what one’s group, not one’s lord or one’s boss or one’s parents says is right. He is good who does as the group demands. He is bad who does for himself.

The fourth ethic is materialistic. It is right to have, to do and it is wrong to prevent one from having or doing. It is right to look out after one, it is wrong to have to be bound by what others say is right or wrong.

The fifth ethic would be it is right to be right. It is the cognitive ethic. The ethic that is based on seek and ye shall know. The proper way to behave is the way that knowing reality dictates. If it is realistic to suffer; it is right to suffer. If the situation calls for authoritarianism, it is right to be authoritarian. If the situation calls for democracy: it is good to be democratic.

Man’s sixth level of ethical behavior may be the ethic of compassion. Understanding sympathy and empathy determine what is morally right, what is morally wrong. It is good to comprehend the behavior of others. It is good to be able to empathize. It is good to decry to condemn.

And following this train of thought the seventh ethical system might be the ethic of awe. An ethic based on the emotional feeling inspired by the contemplation of something magnificent, namely being alive. Profound respect and admiration for everyone and everything, coupled with a deep emotional feeling for life’s magnificence. Do whatever one needs to do so that all human can partake of the awesome experience; don’t contain human nature is the dictum of this ethic.