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It is not enough to simply abstractly apply apotelic kindness; we need some method of measuring it. That is not to say that we cannot propose a baseline, but it is important to understand it must be iteratively believed and appplied to those to whom our actions are meant to benefit. If we do dark things for the greater good; a lack of appreciation by those we claim to help is the single greatest measure of the hubris of our actions.
Here are seven questions one can ask to measure the approach. These seven will not solve every problem, but they cover enough actions such that we can hope to achieve some measure of decency by the impact of our actions. And if it violates all seven, it is likely something we can willfully and truthfull call evil. Conversely, if all seven are clear or approaching it, then we are probably in the right or approaching it.
Is it kind? Does this action genuinely create kindness, not merely the appearance of it? Kindness is the arbiter of necessity.
Is it necessary? Can the good I seek be achieved through less harmful means, or am I rationalizing expediency?
Is it true? Does this action align with reality as best I understand it, or am I deceiving myself or others?
Would I accept this if our positions were reversed? The most reliable test of justice is whether I would willingly trade places with those affected by my actions.
How will this cascade through consciousness? How would this decision be judged by minds wiser than my own, both now and in generations to come?
What story am I using to justify this? Am I casting myself as the necessary hero, others as deserving villains, or creating false narratives to enable what I already want to do?
Would I do this in front of the children who trust me? Not as performance, but as a model of the world I wish them to inherit and the values I truly believe in.
In the book, at the zenith of his power; Edmond Dantes spots the suffering of innocents at the near-death of Valentine de Villefort and the utter ruination of their family to those who hda done him no wrong. He had miscast himself as Providence knowing that none could deliver justice but himself. But he saw in his wrath the violation of these questions; kindness, necesssity and saw in the mirror that he had become the oppressor not the hand of a just but absent God. He had the wisdom to withdraw total justice and show mercy, restraint and take the long view.
