30619 - The criteria of barbarism
N. Lygeros
Translated from Greek by Athina Kehagias
If a tradition contains elements of barbarism, then it’s not a tradition but barbarism.
If a religion contains elements of barbarism, it’s not a religion, but barbarism.
In this manner, we can see that barbarism can function as a criterion because it consitutes the enemy of Humanity.
Consequently, if a tradition, or a religion wounds Humanity, then you can not accept it.
Because the protection of Humanity should occur by someone, and if there is no other, then you have to be the one to do what’s proper.
There is no reason whatsoever for us to compromise with systems which openly violate not only the human rights but also the future rights of Humanity as well.
The criterion of barbarism follows Popper’s mental scheme and so it’s implementation is indicative of the limits of diplomacy.
In this sense we could also examine the work which eventuates both through tradition and through religion.
This tool is significant, because quite often tradition and religion are presented as entities which should’t be touched by us.
If however ethics have evolved, just as bioethics do, due to science, then we can also examine the value of both tradition or religion in connection with the evolution of humans within the social structure, but even afterwards, when we observe the results of this barbaric act.
Consequently it doesn’t constitute a national issue to be solved by each State, but regarding a process which should respect Humanity.
Therefore the religions which want to eliminate every infidel according to their own way of thinking, are not only unacceptable, but are barbaric, and the same applies to the traditions.
And if you assume that could never be changed because the persons which promote them say that it can’t happen, just remember Socrates work with the rhetors, the work of Christ with the Pharisees, Buddha’s work with the classes and so on.
injustice should cease just as soon as it attacks Humanity.
Otherwise Nazism, communism, and Kemalism would’ve become religions and traditions.
And if you find it hard to subtract the characteristic because you don’t apply the criterion, then at least remember that they constitute religions and traditions of barbarism and nothing else.