A philosophical muse on the meaning of life and how one should live it.
By Richard Garriott
© 1999 Richard Garriott

Why should I do unto others as I would have them do unto me? Why can't I poison the rivers and clear cut all the forests? Why must I obey the laws of state? Is it because some god will damn me to eternal hell? Well, that would be a good reason, but I believe a more basic reason is all that is needed.

Religions of the world outline moral codes of conduct by which one can live a successful life. But must one be religious to have such a code? In this book, I propose that such guidance can be found in mere thought alone. That logic and reason can guide you through the trials of life. At the very least, I think that what is outlined herein, can help you think about the beliefs you hold and why you hold them. In this way, I hope that after reading this, you will feel as I do that knowing why you believe something is as important as what you believe.

Other friends either here at Origin, or in my life have pondered this subject with me and later chapters will include their words and logic. I'd like to point out Herman Miller, long time friend and co-author of the Ultima series as a principal contributor.

Hedonism:
Life is to be lived to the fullest. Who does not hope that at their own end, they can smile knowing that they have enjoyed the journey. To each, enjoyed will be different. Some will want to have achieved greatness. Others will want to have left this world better than when they arrived. Some will just want to sit back and enjoy what life brings them.

If one lived alone on an otherwise lifeless deserted planet, one would feel free to do whatever one wished to pursue ones own happiness. If you wanted to poison all the waters or chop off your own arm, whatever made you happy should be okay. A life of unbridled Hedonism would be yours. It would be a lonely Hedonistic life, but it would be yours to do with as you and only you choose to make it.

Ethics:
Most people choose to live in the company of other people. We gather together in communities for many reasons. A community of people has many social, survival and economic advantages. If we want these advantages, we must restrict our Hedonism and avoid doing things that would otherwise make others push us out of their community. We must not interfere with others basic rights to pursue their own Hedonism.

Thus while living alone, we could have poisoned the worlds waters, living among the masses that we do, we must refrain from this type of activity. I will call these restraints Ethics. I will define Ethics to be logically derived restrictions on Hedonism. I will avoid the term Morals as it is often used to describe rules of conduct derived in other ways, for example because a deity has said so.

Ethical Hedonism:
An interesting symbol for this philosophy can be derived by superimposing a vertical line or "one" on top of and infinity symbol. The symbol can mean the balance between the Hedonistic life you could lead alone, balanced with the fact that we choose to live together in a growing limitless society. Thus a 1 and the figure eight infinity symbol combine to create the symbol for Ethical Hedonism.