Not Might for Right

Greetings Dear Readers,

When I was very young the musical Camelot was very popular and nowhere more so than my home. Apparently at age three I would run around the house singing “Fie on Goodness Fie,” much to my mother’s chagrin. The Arthurian legend has fascinated me most of my life. The books, the movies, and actual history have woven themselves into a tapestry of wonder for my mind and yet there is a kernel of truth that I found in that 45 year old musical that has shaped much of my thinking.

When Arthur is envisioning his kingdom, he juxtaposes the current philosophy of “might is right” against the dream of “might for right”. What has recently evolved in my thinking is something that I considered when I have taught Morals and Values development or Critical Thinking as college level courses.

I was rereading Dr. Kohlberg’s word on the stages of moral development this past week and it occurred to me that Arthur’s ideal were good but need to progress further. Unfortunately for me there is little that I can do on my own to push others to this higher ideal. I can only work for it myself. You see whilst Might for Right is an excellent way to live, it is not strong enough to keep us from looking within ourselves for the source of what is right. I have labored for years thinking I was doing right and using my power to do so. I had forgotten to consistently look beyond my own reasoning to keep my use of power in check.

We must move through the stages of moral development in every area of our lives and strive to be using the universal laws that are outside of ourselves. We must constantly be reminding ourselves that no matter how we have been give or rested by our own hand power in a situation we must do what is right for the sake of doing what is right. It is not might is right. It is not might for right, though this is wise. It must become always that we do what is right for the sake of what is right. Kohlberg would call this the highest level of development or Universal Ethical Principle (the Principled Conscience).

Avalon’s departure, almost exactly a year ago, caused me to question this philosophy. What I learned in my questioning is that the philosophy is sound. I have expressed it often in my Grandfather’s words, “Do what is right even if it hurts.” In my own pride I had stopped examining the rightness of things and was simply sinking further into the mindset of might for right, using my power and authority to try to force others to do what I felt was right.

In the course of evaluating things I have found that those I love do not operate at the same level of moral development as I do and that I fluctuate in my falleness between levels quite readily. Some are still at the earliest stages of development where they are driven by the thoughts of avoiding punishment or finding what is in it for them. I know that I sink to this level often when I do not remember that I am to be like Christ no matter how I feel.

In the intermediate stages I find those who constantly want the approval of others. They seek to be seen as the good son or daughter. They use law as their standard for behavior. These are not bad things but they will not endure all circumstances. When faced with a law that does not suit the current crisis or our perceived need, it is easy to abandon that law and return to the lower thinking of “What is in it for me?”

I have heard many things over the last year that astounded me. Someone I used to respect told me that they did not care about right or wrong as long as there was happiness. Someone told me it was wrong to continue to love Avalon because she had violated both her social contract and the laws of her faith. Both of these views are as profound a lie as can be told. After a year of learning just how fallen I am (and I think I am just experiencing the first droplets of this truth), I find that I return with clearer eyes.

Right must only be practiced for the sake of right. The power outside of me that determines that is Christ. Even my own reasoning will not suffice to work things out so I am comfortable or happy. Working my own will or abandoning my vows is not a option. Expecting others to do what is right for the sake of doing what is right is foolish. It is right to think they should but expecting it is putting a burden on them they may not be able to carry. I am still the one who stands by the door (if you do not understand this, I will explain some other time). I am not the example people need, Christ is. I will not abandon the truth my Grandfather taught me and I urge you to do the same. We must both, in the shadow of the cross, by God’s grace determine to, “do what is right, even when it hurts.”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn