Posted by Based on John Stuart Mill’s harm principle & the principle of taking the middle path as in Buddhism, I have come up with the following differences between superficial values and deep/ sensible values.
| Superficial values | Deep values |
| They are rigid and dogmatic rules. | They’re flexible and based on logic. |
| They arise out of a need for fitting in with society, or religious doctrines. | They arise out of applying the harm principle. |
| Anything risky is forbidden. Examples: | Risks are to be mitigated through balance and emphasis on not overdoing. Examples: |
| Don’t drink or smoke . | Do it, but don’t get addicted. |
| Don’t have sex/ be celibate. | Do it, but safely and don’t get addicted. |
| Don’t wear short clothes. | Do it, but not in unsafe places. |
| Don’t talk rudely with anyone. | Do it only when its needed. Don’t hurt people intentionally. Learn non-confrontational but effective communication styles. |
| Don’t eat meat/ non-veg food. | Eat, but less. |
Kukiinsights 