Adherent- a person who adheres, believes in, or accepts a particular Belief, System, Paradigm, or Gestalt.
Event – a situation or hypothetical scenario that is presented to the Adherent. I mean nothing advanced or technical by the use of Event. Events are primarily used when dealing with Systems, which are described below. Generally speaking, the Events discussed in my discourse will be limited to issues of morality, ethics, or law (though some examples deviate from that subject matter). Examples: “A man is found guilty of murder in United States court.” “A destitute person approaches me asking for money.” “I witness a mugging.”
Power – loosely synonymous with “ability”. Power is simply the ability to make change in the world, no matter how small or how large. Human Power often takes the form of voting, violence, creation, and destruction. American citizens often exercise Power over the world through the voting system. The use of military force is an obvious use of Power.
Belief – an individual or particular outlook, opinion, or stance on a matter. Beliefs are the most basic level of morality. Examples: “Murder is wrong.” “Gay marriage should be allowed under United States law.” “Everyone who does not accept Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior is doomed to Hell upon death.”
System – a group of Beliefs that allow an Adherent to judge Events. The System creates a set of criteria for the Adherent to follow. I present Systems in my writing as a set of criteria listed alphabetically, (a), (b), etc. This is the second level of morality. Example:
(a) Killing humans is wrong.
(b) Wrongdoings should be punished, unless it violates (a).
Event - A person stabs another to death.
Judgment - The person who committed the stabbing should be punished, but that punishment can not involve killing.
Paradigm – a summary or description of the totality of all of an Adherent’s Beliefs and Systems. This will often take the form of a short description in sentence form that summarizes an Adherent’s outlook. Put simply, this is how people tend to describe their beliefs to one another. The other important function of the Paradigm is it often informs us of what the Adherent holds most important. In a way, the Adherent’s most cherished Beliefs should ring through a Paradigm, the Beliefs or Systems that tend to govern all others. This is the third level of morality. Examples: “Moral objectivism based on conservative Catholic teachings.” “Moral relativism with influences of Secular Humanism.” “Utilitarian Satanist who values human life above all other concerns.”
Gestalt – the final level of morality, Gestalt consists of the unintended or unforeseen consequences of an Adherent’s Beliefs, Systems, and Paradigm. A Belief has no Power in and of itself, but a Belief given Power can make real change in the world – which is where the Gestalt comes in. This level of morality deals with the effects of morality on the world; how it affects human behavior, opinions of one another, and society at large. It examines humans not as an individual in a vacuum but as part of a collective of interconnected beings that cannot help but affect one another.
Example:
(a) Birth control should not be used, as it goes against Catholic teachings.
Gestalt of (a): Overpopulation, starvation, pollution increase.
