This is an attempt at a dialectical understanding of freedom and responsibility, punishment and forgiveness, things like that. My text is a part of the Gospel, though as I shall say, I attribute no special supernatural power to this. I shall refer also to the Dialogues of Plato.
The Antitheses are the six parallel teachings, delivered by Jesus of Nazareth in the Sermon on the Mount, as recounted in Chapter 5 of the Gospel According to St Matthew, starting at verse 21. I summarize:
- Do not kill people; do not even get angry with them.
- Do not commit adultery; do not even fantasize about it.
- In divorce, follow the established procedure; do not even divorce.
- Do not forswear yourself; do not even swear.
- Keep retribution commensurate with the crime; do not even seek retribution.
- Love your neighbor; love even your enemy.
For better or worse, these are part of the cultural heritage of many of us; they are at least a commentary on the cultural heritage (the Mosaic Law) of more of us.
I write now specifically, because I think the Antitheses can illustrate or illuminate some contemporary philosophical concerns, Continue reading