ng restricts their actions only as far asthe legal sanctions intimidate people into conforming to the proper use ofalcohol and automobiles. Because the idea that excessive alcohol consumption iswrong (for good reasons) is not understood, laws and values must force a spiritof compliance on those who seek the protection of ignorance to maximize theirmoral freedom.Ethical prescriptions many times represent a statistical accumulation of factsand observations that have been gathered over centuries and appear to point tosome inherent truth (e.g., that excessive consumption of alcohol injures thehealth of a person and disrupts the lives of those around them). A muchdifferent form of moralism might be the view that "patience is a virtue." Thisview is not simply some off-the-wall belief of personal propriety; rather itderives from mature observations concerning behaviors that help people navigatethe stresses of life without an overreaction to their circumstances that wouldbe counterproductive to their attempts to realize their ambitions. Clear,concise, and reproducible observations about human conduct are generallyexpressions of wisdom rather than of opinion. While there are elements of beliefpresent in almost all ethical systems, it is their fundamental wisdom thatshines through the generations. As a civilization grows, it archives its wisdomin many ways. In more ancient times, myth and religion served to archive theessential nature and wisdom of humankind. Literature has carried some of thisessential knowledge. In more refined form, philosophy has dealt with theessentials of wisdom, but few can understand the complexity and rigor of itslanguage. The larger portion of proven and practical knowledge to guide ourbehavior is known through our legal system, morals, manners, and customs.When a civilization blossoms, a wide spectrum of ethical views, customs, andlaws evolves. Ethical systems can vary greatly. Some are better than others atfostering t...
