A Formula for Morality

Earlier this year, scientists announced that they had discovered the formula for happiness (H = P + (5xE) + (3xH)). Now, an unknown philosopher from Cornwall, England claims to have devised a formula for morality.

Dubbed "Formulism," founder Antony Last says of his equation: "Nothing on earth has had a more damaging and divisive effect upon mankind than organised religion. Now, more than ever before, the world is in desperate need of an alternative; something with the power to unite people of all faiths and backgrounds, including atheists and agnostics. That's the purpose of Formulism. It completely destroys artificial divisions, such as those created by religion and patriotism, leaving behind the only distinction with inherent meaning: how people treat each other as individuals (something which is also at the heart of every religion). Formulism facilitates the cessation of religious activity, like the laying down of arms, without anyone having to forsake either God or morality."

The equation itself, which defines good and evil, looks like this:

G = A + P(x) F - N and E = A + N(x) F - P

And translates as:

Good = Action plus Positive (or potentially positive) effect minus obvious Negative consequences.

Evil = Action plus Negative (or potentially negative) effect minus obvious Positive consequences.

"Formulism, by default," says Antony, "forbids everything from verbal abuse and vandalism through to theft, adultery, abortion and murder (all of which have a negative impact upon others). It also forbids less obvious forms of evil, such as drinking and driving, which has a POTENTIALLY negative impact upon others."

Some have asked, "Do Formulists believer people have an intuitive sense of right and wrong?"

Mr. Last answers, "Only with respect to the impact of their actions upon others (which is what Formulism is all about). This sense of right and wrong, however, has been hijacked and warped by society, organised religion, tradition, patriotism, superstition, the media, etc. Of course, even stripped of these things, intuition isn't perfect, which is why we use an equation that properly and explicitly defines an action by its effect upon others (positive or negative). It's a concept that's much easier for the intuition to understand and to deal with correctly than the more complex issue of morality, which will always be highly subjective and divisive. Furthermore, unlike a religiously motivated terrorist, who cannot ask God whether his actions are good or not, Formulists are able to seek the opinions of those whom their actions are likely to impact. This, more than anything else, elevates Formulism above any and all previously known religions and philosophies."

[Excerpted from Formulism.org and PRWeb.]