Commandments Vs Debate

Commandments are authoritative directives or orders given to individuals or groups by those in positions of power or authority. These directives, intended to regulate behavior and ensure compliance with certain rules or principles, are not open to discussion or debate. They are viewed as non-negotiable and must be followed without question.

On the other hand, debates represent discussions or arguments between two or more individuals holding differing opinions or viewpoints. The aim of a debate is to present and defend one's ideas and opinions while challenging and critiquing those of others. Debates are often used to explore complex topics, exchange information, and foster a better understanding of a specific issue.

The imposition of commandments inhibits change, leading to stalled growth. Societies that have adopted commandments, from religious to communist, have witnessed intellectual and material stagnation. Africa, the Middle East, South America, and the former USSR are prime examples.

Debate, however, facilitates a process of change that incorporates a feature of error correction. This process ensures the efficient elimination of bad ideas and the refinement of good ones, creating an expanding spiral of intellectual and material advancements. Western Europe and North America serve as prime examples.

The puzzling question remains: why do some societies shift from embracing debate to adopting commandments? Is it due to the discouragement of the process of objective and honest debate by naive morality? Or does it stem from our unwillingness to accept the inconvenient truths that open debate reveals?