There are always consequences for every action, especially actions or activities that causes offence. In order to curb some of these consequences, certain standards and protocols are set which are to be followed.
These protocols are what we refer to as Rules. But more than that, rules are meant to guide behaviour, actions and create order. Imagine that there are no rules to follow on Earth?
Can you imagine the amount of lawlessness that would abound?
It would be jungle justice extravaganza*
I usually think of rules as a form of protective barricade that shields me from hurting myself and also from external harm (just like a balcony in a house).
Rules are not do or die. In fact they reveal the one characteristic feature of homo sapiens that other living things lack and that is the power of choice and free will.
Rules are followed out of choice and the same goes for when they are broken. A thief who goes to steal chooses to break the rules set against stealing in the first place.
Should rules be followed strictly?
I believe the answer to this question is subjective. It depends on context and circumstance. For instance, if a worker is sick, the best option is to seek medical treatment but what if that worker works in an organization that doesn't care for the safety of their workers and he or she is told that if they should be absent at work for even a day, then they would be fired.
In such a circumstance, if I were the worker, I would choose to prioritize my health and safety and if I lose my job in the process then so be it (* I can't even work in an organization with such conditions in the first place*).
I am of the opinion that rules should be followed as long as it doesn't go against basic human rights, morality and good ethics.
In a place where rules are mandatory, it would be for certain reasons best known to the organization and I also believe that it is in the best interest of those in such an organization. A case study is the no smoking rule in gas stations and commercial vehicles.
Another case study is obeying traffic lights and rules. It is very important we obey these rules strictly, for our own benefit.
But if the rules are unnecessarily strict like no drinking of water more than two times in the office, I would not strictly follow such a rule. I would seek to understand why there was such a rule in the first place and if the reason laid out for me is irrelevant, then I'll do my own thing using my discretion.
Rules that are set just to punish a certain minority or set as a tool of injustice should not be followed strictly. We are human beings with dignity. So any rule that tends to degrade or trample on our dignity should also not be followed in my opinion.
Thank you all for reading.
Images were.imagined with Meta Ai.
