There are many factors that contribute to the success of human societies. Some of these are manifestations of socializing instincts, others are institutions that have been found useful through experience, and tested by adversity. The essential basis of civil society is not empathy or tolerance or education or rule of law or civility, as useful as these may be. The foundation upon all functioning societies rest is the keeping of one’s word; of doing what a person says he will do. This is the essential condition that allows humans to form complex organizations that transcend the insularity of the tribe or clan.
The keeping of one’s word, the observance of vows is inherent in concepts such as social contracts, and other forms of government that rely on the assent of the governed. It is essential to the concept of trust and allows humans to use to use the remarkable capacity of cognition, planning, and creativity to produce human societies that progress and improve the lives of their members. The simple concept of doing what a person says he will do forms the rationale for considering as virtues such concepts as honor, duty and integrity. It also functions to strengthen psychological bonds that hold people and groups of people together. Keeping one’s word is an essential requirement of civil society for much the same reason that it is an essential element of friendship.
This was cross-posted at LibertyZ.substack.com
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