A short essay I wrote on an Honor Code proposal. I like it, kind of. Few bits that I didn't like, but I had to do it spur of the moment. Though it's not my best work.

Downloadable Digital Versions:

.DOC (Microsoft Word): http://www.mediafire.com/?wek11nij2mx
.ODT (Sun Microsystems OpenOffice: http://www.mediafire.com/?gwilmxj1zmy

Honor is a reputation, a perceived sense of earned respect from others. An honor code, therefore, is a set of ideas designed to govern one's morality and public behavior. Honor is a subjective topic, governed by one's conscience, creed, and life experience. There can't be one set code, as it couldn't apply to everyone.

An honor code, while a splendid idea in theory, is in fact a rather troublesome proposal. Combined with widespread desensitization of the masses, a growing disillusionment with religion and theological belief, mainly for the commitments accompanying such ideals, has greatly changed out perception of reality and what is acceptable. Laws are no longer followed, rules disobeyed. People's inherent distrust of those in power, generally baseless nonsense, has eliminated the ability to easily enforce overall rules.

In the event of such a decree, certain things must be set, harsh penalties instated for outright disobedience. Mere disobedience for the sake of disobedience is stupid, an act comparable to kicking a nest of angry wasps. It should not be tolerated by anyone, much less perpetrated by anyone with some semblance of sentient thought. People will always envy and hate other people, however. Such feelings are the remnants of a past when they were necessary, but now serve as archaic and outdated instinct.

Honesty is crucial to honor. Without it, there can be no honor. Dishonesty rarely serves more than a purpose perceived solely by the perpetrating individual, and usually causes more harm than good. Lying should not be allowed without good, sound reason, as lies are like virii. They spread, from person to person, self-replicating in nature. Lies mutate to combat the truth. Lies can cause incurable damage and unnecessary suffering.

In conclusion, while an outstanding and noble proposition, an honor code will prove very difficult to enact and enforce. Rules will be broken, lines will be crossed to test the willingness to enforce those rules. Waves of people will need to be reprimanded for such indiscretions, as an example to those who might try and follow along. It is imperative, indeed essential, that those in a position to enforce these rules be prepared for this most certain eventuality.


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Sorry about spacing between paragraphs, at least in firefox Blogger made it an unholy text wall.