Thelemic Ethics
The ethics of Thelema may be summarized in its most oft quoted axiom "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." Crowley writes, "There are no "standards of Right." Ethics is balderdash. Each Star must go on its orbit. To hell with 'moral Principle;' there is no such thing; that is a herd-delusion, and makes men cattle. Do not listen to the rational explanation of How Right It All Is, in the newspapers." [1] Essentially, in Thelema, what is "right" is to do your Will, and what is "wrong" is to restrict, inhibit, repress, or divert one's, and another's, Will.
Liber OZ[edit | edit source]
The ethics, or rather the lack thereof in the context of ones Will, have been summarized in the short document, Liber OZ, the Book of the Devil, it's number being 77. It is often treated by Thelemites on par with the Decalogue. There is quite a bit controversy concerning it's fifth point:
- 5. Man has the right to kill those who would thwart these rights.
However, given the liberties bestowed upon it's adherents, it is as most mild in comparison to the Quran, and other religious texts.
Resources[edit | edit source]
- Liber OZ by Aleister Crowley
- Duty by Aleister Crowley
- Ethics of Thelema by Erwin Hessle in Journal of Thelemic Studies, Vol.1 No.1, p.5-13
- Thelemic Values: a new view of morality by IAO131
Related links[edit | edit source]
- Department of Thelemic Studies
- Basics of Thelema
- Metaphysics - The Thelemic Universe
- The Practice of Thelema
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Aleister Crowley, The Law is For All, New Comment to AL II:28