12 Rules for Life

Rules are essential for the development of a harmonious society. Nowadays, we have practically given up teaching young people about rules and the meaning of right and wrong, in the name of the supposed absolute principle of ‘subjectivity’, but in doing so, we are an unhappy society. Chaos is the arch enemy of a happy life and of a prosperous society, because it undermines people’s certainty and their ability to understand others, an important factor for mutual trust. When we have an ‘orderly’ system, people tend to act according to clear social norms, in a predictable and cooperative way: the adoption of the same code of values and behaviours makes people predictable. If everyone behaves according to other people’s expectations and desires, not only is cooperation more likely, but so is healthy competition. Living in a system in which everyone knows what to expect from other people makes interpersonal relationships easier, as well as helping the relationship we have with ourselves. Taking charge of the rules, the foundations which help build and sustain all relationships, is necessary, first and foremost, for us to feel good about ourselves, and consequently to achieve a better society.