The first question of ethics (cooperation) is ‘why do I not kill you and take yo

The first question of ethics (cooperation) is ‘why do I not kill you and take your things?’

The first question of debate is also ‘why do I not kill you and take your things’?

The answer to both questions is, “Because cooperation is disproportionately rewarding for both parties – at least over the medium and long term.”

But if we we lie, if we cast insults, then we are de-facto, not cooperating, to produce disproportionately rewarding ends. So ethics ends.

And if we tolerate the existence of people who engage in lie, insult, and fraud, then we are not cooperating with those with whom we cooperate. So Morality Ends.

So, unbound by cooperation, unbound by ethics, and unbound by morality, we return to violence as of greater benefit than suffering lie and insult and non-cooperation.

So it is only moral that I kill you and take your things.