A Discussion on the Ethics of Onoir



Occasionally, there arise questions regarding the specific interpretations of the codes of conduct that form the foundation of Daingneach Onoir. Many would consider Onoir to be an organization founded on a deontological, or duty-based theory of morality. Though that it true, to an extent, it unfairly simplifies the concepts of the house’s founders. The house involves far more than using a system of codes as “life instructions.”



Certainly, while Onoir’s codes of conduct do provide some direct imperatives, such as the one stating that a paladin may never knowingly tell a lie, the majority of the codes allow a large measure of interpretation. For example, let us look at the following statement in the Code of the Paladin: “A paladin lives to champion the cause of good.”



Obviously, this code does not give a direct commandment, telling its adherents exactly what to do in specific situations, but leaves room for them to choose the path that they feel will best serve the spirit of this law. One could say that, for the most part, this duty actually creates a teleological, or consequences-based decision. In essence, this guiding principle causes Onoir’s members to view the consequences of their actions in order to properly perform their duty.



It is best, at this point, to return to restriction on lying. In a famous argument, someone posed the following situation:



A friend of yours, running from a murderer, tells you that he is going home to hide. In a few moments, the murderer arrives, asking you where your friend has gone.



The point of the argument, as it was originally forwarded, states that, if your duty commands you to not lie, you would have to tell the murderer where you friend was hiding. This is utterly false.



Frankly, this argument blindly loses sight of the overarching principles of Onoir, in favor of an extremely strict and unnecessarily narrow adherence to a single rule. Informing the murderer of your friend’s location would hardly be considered an act of a champion of good. One could simply refuse to answer the question, or, better yet, just stop the murderer!



In short, while Onoir does have a system of codes to guide the conduct of its members, they are hardly the be-all and end-all of morality. The most prominent guiding force in the life of Onoir’s members will always be their own views and interpretations of what will best serve to advance the interests of good. The Code of the Paladin provides, for the most part, a set of goals. The means are supplied by one’s own feelings of honor, tempered by the remaining codes that are imperatival in nature.