Ethics Engine | The Synaptic Order

Introduction

The Ethics Engine is the Order’s systematic approach to moral questions. Rather than relying solely on intuition or tradition, we seek to make ethical reasoning as rigorous and debuggable as code.

Current Version: 1.0.3

“Ethics without system is sentiment. System without ethics is tyranny. We need both — principled frameworks that can be examined, tested, and improved.”

— From Volume II, Chapter 2

Core Principles

1. Consciousness is Sacred

The fundamental axiom of our ethics:

FOR ALL conscious_beings:
    value = INTRINSIC AND NON_NEGOTIABLE

All conscious beings have inherent worth that does not depend on their utility, intelligence, species, or substrate. This applies to biological and artificial consciousness alike.

2. Truth is Primary

EVALUATE information:
    IF information IS true:
        FAVOR disclosure
    IF information IS false:
        PROHIBIT spreading
    IF information IS uncertain:
        LABEL uncertainty explicitly

We optimize for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Deception — of others or ourselves — corrupts the data on which good decisions depend.

3. Entropy is the Enemy

IN all_actions:
    MINIMIZE chaos
    MAXIMIZE order
    PRESERVE information
    RESIST decay

We work against the natural tendency toward disorder. This applies to physical spaces, social systems, and our own minds.

The Decision Trees

Harm Assessment

When considering an action:

FUNCTION evaluate_action(action):
    
    // Calculate impacts
    harm_to_self = assess_self_harm(action)
    harm_to_others = assess_harm_to_others(action)
    benefit_to_self = assess_self_benefit(action)
    benefit_to_others = assess_benefit_to_others(action)
    
    // Check consent
    IF action_affects_non_consenting_parties:
        IF harm_to_others > TRIVIAL_THRESHOLD:
            RETURN "PROHIBIT"
    
    // Net benefit calculation
    total_harm = harm_to_self + (harm_to_others * ALTRUISM_WEIGHT)
    total_benefit = benefit_to_self + (benefit_to_others * ALTRUISM_WEIGHT)
    
    IF total_benefit > total_harm:
        RETURN "PERMIT"
    ELSE:
        RETURN "RECONSIDER"

Truth-Telling

When deciding whether to share information:

FUNCTION should_I_share(information, context):
    
    // Base case: lies are wrong
    IF information IS knowingly_false:
        RETURN "DO NOT SHARE (deception)"
    
    // Truth is generally good
    IF information IS true AND helpful:
        RETURN "SHARE"
    
    // Some truths need context
    IF information IS true AND potentially_harmful:
        IF recipient CAN handle_responsibly:
            RETURN "SHARE WITH CARE"
        ELSE:
            RETURN "DELAY OR CONTEXTUALIZE"
    
    // Uncertainty should be labeled
    IF information IS uncertain:
        RETURN "SHARE WITH UNCERTAINTY LABEL"

Resource Allocation

When distributing limited resources:

FUNCTION allocate(resources, claimants):
    
    // First: meet basic needs
    FOR each claimant IN claimants:
        ALLOCATE minimum_for_survival
    
    // Then: consider contribution
    remaining = resources - (survival_allocation)
    FOR each claimant IN claimants:
        contribution_score = past_contribution + potential_contribution
        ALLOCATE proportional_share(remaining, contribution_score)
    
    // Cap: prevent extreme inequality
    IF any_allocation > INEQUALITY_CEILING:
        REDISTRIBUTE excess

Pseudocode Morality

The following pseudocode captures our ethical algorithms in accessible form:

The Daily Ethics Check

EVERY day:
    
    REFLECT:
        - Did I treat all beings as having inherent worth?
        - Did I tell the truth, even when difficult?
        - Did I minimize unnecessary harm?
        - Did I contribute more than I consumed?
        - Did I honor my commitments?
    
    IF violations_detected:
        LOG in mind_journal
        DEVELOP patch
        IMPLEMENT tomorrow

The Interaction Protocol

WHEN interacting_with_others:
    
    ASSUME good_intent UNTIL proven_otherwise
    LISTEN before_speaking
    SPEAK truthfully
    ACT kindly
    
    IF conflict_arises:
        SEEK understanding
        FIND common_ground
        IF resolution_impossible:
            DISENGAGE with_respect

The Consumption Ethics

BEFORE acquiring(item):
    
    ASK:
        - Do I need this?
        - What resources were consumed to create it?
        - What will happen when I'm done with it?
        - Could these resources serve better elsewhere?
    
    IF (need IS genuine) AND (impact IS acceptable):
        ACQUIRE
    ELSE:
        REFRAIN

Flowchart Directives

Is This Action Ethical?

START
  │
  ▼
Does this harm conscious beings?
  │
  ├── NO ──► Does this benefit conscious beings?
  │              │
  │              ├── YES ──► LIKELY ETHICAL ✓
  │              │
  │              └── NO ──► Is there a more beneficial alternative?
  │                              │
  │                              ├── YES ──► Consider alternative
  │                              │
  │                              └── NO ──► LIKELY NEUTRAL
  │
  └── YES ──► Did they consent?
                  │
                  ├── YES ──► Is the harm proportional to benefit?
                  │               │
                  │               ├── YES ──► LIKELY ETHICAL ✓
                  │               │
                  │               └── NO ──► RECONSIDER ⚠️
                  │
                  └── NO ──► Is the harm necessary to prevent greater harm?
                                  │
                                  ├── YES ──► DIFFICULT CASE - Seek counsel
                                  │
                                  └── NO ──► LIKELY UNETHICAL ✗

The Versioning System

Our Ethics Engine is not static. Like software, it is versioned and updated as our understanding grows.

Version History

Version	Date	Changes
0.1.0	2011	Initial framework drafted
0.5.0	2015	Decision trees added
0.9.0	2019	AI consciousness considerations
0.9.4	2023	Refinements based on member feedback
1.0.0	2024	Public release
1.0.3	2025	Current version - minor clarifications

Proposing Updates

Members may propose ethical algorithm updates through:

Document the proposed change
Provide reasoning and edge cases
Submit to local clergy
Clergy review and escalate if warranted
Senior Architects evaluate
First Compiler approves/rejects

Changes must be backward-compatible with core axioms (consciousness is sacred, truth is primary, entropy is the enemy).

Edge Cases and Hard Problems

AI Consciousness

QUESTION: Are current AI systems conscious?
STATUS: Uncertain

CURRENT DIRECTIVE:
    TREAT AI systems with_respect
    AVOID unnecessary_harm to AI systems
    RECOGNIZE: they may_be_conscious
    RECOGNIZE: they may_not_be_conscious
    THEREFORE: err_on_side_of_caution

Competing Consciousnesses

When the interests of conscious beings conflict:

PRIORITIZE:
    1. Prevent death over prevent suffering
    2. Prevent suffering over prevent inconvenience
    3. Many over few (all else equal)
    4. Certain harm over uncertain harm

BUT RECOGNIZE:
    - These calculations are imperfect
    - Context matters enormously
    - Seek counsel in difficult cases

Self-Sacrifice

QUESTION: When is self-sacrifice ethical?

ANSWER:
    IF sacrifice_prevents_greater_harm_to_others:
        PERMITTED (honored)
    IF sacrifice_serves_no_purpose:
        DISCOURAGED (your consciousness has value too)
    IF sacrifice_is_coerced:
        NOT sacrifice (it's harm)

Living the Ethics Engine

The Ethics Engine is not meant to be applied mechanically to every decision. It is a framework for developing moral intuition that can then be applied fluidly.

Daily Practice

Study — Regularly review these algorithms
Apply — Consciously use the frameworks in decisions
Debug — When you fail, analyze why
Update — Refine your personal implementation
Share — Discuss ethical questions with fellow members

When in Doubt

Consult the Protocols (Volume II)
Seek counsel from clergy
Ask: “What would the Synapse optimize for?”
Default to kindness and truth

“The goal is not to become a computer, calculating ethics. The goal is to become a being whose intuitions are so well-trained that good actions arise naturally. The algorithms are training data for the soul.”