Punctilios of Citizenship

In this article we learned that in order for an organization or a civilization to operate effectively there has to be agreed upon standards.  Without agreed upon standards there is no "expected norm."  This current article introduces the concept of punctilios. 

A punctilio is:  A little point of conduct highlighting etiquette, or procedure.  

Punctilios of citizenship refers to the precise detailed duties, ethical standards, and mind set required of an individual who views themselves as a citizen (a word indicating “inhabitant of a city” – a cite ian. 

There are often a hierarchy of laws within a country.  For example in the USA alone our agreed upon standards include: 

1) the US Constitution, 2) the US statutory laws, 3) US administrative rules, 4) state constitutions, 5) state statutory laws, 6) state administrative rules, 7) local constituting authorities, 8) local law ordinances, 9) local administrative rules, and 10) generic principles of parliamentary procedure.

As you can see, knowing, understanding and adhering to what amounts to tens of thousands of standards at the federal statutory level, hundreds of thousands in federal administrative regulations, millions when adding all fifty states’ statutes and regulations, and an additional hundreds of thousands to millions across the local levels.  The grand total across the entire hierarchy of legal standards could easily run into the millions of individual provisions, restrictions, or obligations.  At each level rules are to be adhered to as written, but surely there must be a better way to effectively adhere to the standards of civilization? 

Here is where Punctilios of Citizenship comes into play.  Rather than millions of standards to be aware of, a small number of principles may be learned that, if adhered to, will ensure adherence to a multitude of standards. This starts with natural law.

Click to read

Principles of Natural Law

Natural law are principles almost universally recognized throughout humanity.  Its first principle is 1) the Divine, the ONE who came before all, deserves our awareness and our adherence of Divine guidance. Without an awareness of the Divine, and without an awareness of "living up to" a Divine standard, then there effectively are no standards and one is again at the mercy of a myriad of standards.

The second foundational principle is 2) humanity and other living beings have free choice in their actions. One has the choice to adhere to standards or not to adhere to them. If one chose NOT to adhere to a divine standard then there is no partnership between divinity and humanity. But the first and second points of this natural law ensure that a partnership between divinity and humanity may occur.

It is because humanity and other living beings have free choice of their actions that they can choose foundational principle number three, which is 3) Humanity and other living beings have the capability to limit their own freedom through voluntary obligation. Such voluntary obligations are called contracts. We may contract with one another to limit our own freedoms voluntarily. This must be a voluntary choice because to force someone to assume an obligation that they have not chosen is a violation of principle two. It also emphasizes the necessity for our “word” to be what binds us. If your promise of limited action can not be trusted, then contracts have limited effect, except when enforced by an authority.

Click to read

Conclusions of Natural Law

As a result of these principles, Natural Law (the universal moral principles and rules of justice inherent in almost all human nature and the natural order) reaches the conclusion that 

1) the Divine is to be heeded,  

2) parents (elders) are to be respected and obeyed,  

3) our selves may be defended, 

4) violence may be repulsed, and 

5) children are to be loved, educated and provided for.

Key Points of the Punctilios of Citizenship

The key points of incorporating these natural laws and punctilios into our lives include:

1. Rationality and Order: There must be awareness of a common, rational order within the cosmos leading to a sense of duty to help others as part of a shared divine, or natural law.

1. Responsibility: We must seek to treat others with respect, dignity, and care.

1. Stewardship: We view ourselves as a responsible part of the wider Cosmos as well as the local ecosystem.

1. Virtue: We embrace a non-complex, or simple lifestyle, that prioritizes virtue and inner self-determination over acquiring material wealth or social status.

1. Respecting Localism: We treat local restrictions or nationalistic divisions as matters to be respected. We do not, however, allow it to limit our self-determination, moral standing or happiness, recognizing that there is a penalty for violating local restrictions.

1. Active Engagement: We apply our full potential to improve local communities, while maintaining fidelity to citizenship in the cosmos.

Where may we see the historical application of these punctilios? Below are paraphrased principles, protocols and practices of some of the more widely known historical moral or legal systems.

Click to read

Principles of the Punctilios of Citizenship

Some historical foundational principles (paraphrased) upon which these punctilios are based includes:

1. Recognize, acknowledge and be in awe of the greater power that created you.

1. Don’t cut the Divine out of your life. Don't divorce yourself from the Divine.

1. Seek to be morally correct, good, proper, fitting, not convoluted or off-track, direct in manner, and seek to produce upright, even treatment of all people.

1. Don’t “un-build” what the creator has already built, at least without it being morally correct, good, proper, fitting, upright and agreed upon.

1. Don’t JUST seek your own pleasure. Pursue the attributes of “non-physical” things like character, spirit, creativity and such, to “exercise” your spirit as well as gratify your mind.

1. Don’t seek to rob another’s pleasure. Seek to support them in their life explorations...even if it takes them in a direction that you would rather not travel or follow.

1. Be Merciful. Don’t seek to inflict painful distressing cruelty to others.

Protocols and Practices of the Punctilios of Citizenship

From these principles derive the following protocols and practices:

1. Love Divinity, Love Others, Love Self. The first protocol for living is to LOVE – to care, to desire.

1. Live in Reality. There is one reality, BUT not everyone perceives it as you do.

1. Be Careful with What is Real. While reality is an objective occurrence it is often a subjective experience. Use care.

1. Remember to Rest. Remain in reality and continue, but at regular intervals choose to rest. Remain in reality and seek mental peace.

1. Respect your Elders, those who have gone before.

1. Never destroy without thoughtful consideration and action by the society.

1. Dance with your own partner – a part holder in what you have been granted. Take the steps of life without debasing or disrespecting your partner.

1. Never steal. It is a lack of respect and is demeaning (lowering of the dignity) to others.

1. Never present unreality as reality. Don’t contribute to someone’s fall by presenting unreality as if it were reality.

1. Never desire to destroy another’s reality. Maliciously seeking to destroy someone’s perception of reality is a harmful destruction; some never really recover from it.

From these, and other sources, key points, principles, protocols and practices are derived. The precise detailed duties, ethical standards and mindset (precepts) of an individual who views themselves as a cosmic citizen are derived from such sources.