[Intro]
An I for an I
[Verse 1]
100,000 years ago (or so)
We developed compassion
(As part of our fashion)
What the capacity for abstract thought…
(Brought)
[Bridge]
10,000 years ago (or so)
We developed religion (so it would begin)
Eve and the serpent (circumvent)
[Chorus]
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
How we all get by
Must be based on truth
[Verse 2]
Emerge the angel
(Goodwill instill)
Good versus evil
(We cheer the devil)
[Bridge]
10,000 years ago (or so)
They say (we start to pray)
Eve and the serpent (represent)
[Chorus]
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
How we all get by
Must be based on truth
[Verse]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Bridge]
10,000 years ago (or so)
They say (we start to pray)
Eve and the serpent (represent)
[Chorus]
An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
How we live (and how we die)
Be we brutes (with couth)
[Verse]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Bridge]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo]
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Verse]
What lex talionis is…
Is what we’ve become
(Be come retaliation)
What justice is…
We’ve come to undone
(Me and you…)
Undo
(We do)
[Bridge]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Break]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
[Accelerando, Up-tempo]
[Instrumental, Drum Solo]
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Verse]
Under the scrutiny
(Of “Divine Authority”)
We claim to see
(See divinity)
What’s come to be
(Come to be of you and me)
As we babble on….
[Bridge]
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
And, so forth
(And so on)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
[Outro]
Code of Hammurabi
(An eye for an eye)
Babylon
(Babble on and on)
ABOUT THE SONG
The concepts of “good” and “evil” are not tied to a specific point in human evolution but rather emerged with the development of moral reasoning, social organization, and cultural norms. These ideas are deeply connected to human cognition, emotions, and our capacity to create systems of meaning.
When Did Humans Develop Morality?
- Early Social Behavior:
- Morality likely began as a way to ensure cooperation and social harmony within small groups. Early humans lived in communities where survival depended on collaboration.
- Research on primates, like chimpanzees and bonobos, shows basic forms of empathy, fairness, and conflict resolution, suggesting the evolutionary roots of morality predate modern humans.
- Emergence of Complex Social Norms:
- Archaeological evidence from Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, such as burial practices and care for the sick or elderly, suggests that humans developed a sense of compassion and community at least 100,000 years ago.
- The capacity for abstract thought, language, and storytelling—emerging around 70,000 years ago during the “Cognitive Revolution”—enabled humans to articulate ideas of right and wrong.
- Religious and Cultural Development:
- Organized religions, which began around 10,000 years ago, formalized moral codes, labeling behaviors as “good” or “evil.” This was likely influenced by the need to maintain order in increasingly complex agricultural societies.
Good vs. Evil in Psychological Terms
- Evolutionary Perspective: Acts considered “good” typically promote group survival and cooperation, while “evil” acts disrupt social bonds or endanger others.
- Neurological Basis: Empathy, guilt, and moral judgment are linked to brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.
- Cultural Variation: What is deemed good or evil varies across societies, reflecting local norms, values, and historical contexts.
Philosophical and Religious Ideas
- Ancient civilizations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, began debating the nature of good and evil. Texts like the Code of Hammurabi (1754 BCE) or early religious writings laid the groundwork for moral thought.
- The dualistic view of good and evil became central in religions like Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam.
Summary
The concepts of good and evil likely evolved as part of human social and cultural development. While their biological roots lie in the need for cooperation and conflict resolution, their philosophical and spiritual dimensions are human constructs, shaped over millennia of storytelling, religion, and ethical reasoning.
The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest and most comprehensive written legal codes in history, created around 1754 BCE during the reign of Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty. The code was inscribed on a large stone stele and several clay tablets and is renowned for its detailed provisions and structured approach to justice.
Key Features of the Code
- Structure:
- The code contains 282 laws, addressing a wide range of issues such as trade, property, family relations, labor, and criminal justice.
- The laws are written in Akkadian, the language of Babylon, and arranged in a conditional (“if… then”) format.
- Principles of Justice:
- The code is based on the principle of lex talionis, or the “law of retaliation” (e.g., “an eye for an eye”).
- It emphasizes hierarchy, with different punishments based on the perpetrator’s and victim’s social status (nobles, commoners, and slaves).
- Areas Covered:
- Property: Rules for land ownership, loans, and debt repayment.
- Trade: Regulations for merchants, contracts, and liability.
- Family: Provisions for marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
- Punishments: Specific penalties for theft, assault, and other crimes.
- Divine Authority:
- The code begins with a prologue where Hammurabi claims divine mandate, stating he was chosen by the gods to bring order and justice to his people.
Historical Significance
- The Code of Hammurabi is a milestone in legal history, offering a glimpse into the structure of Babylonian society and its values.
- It influenced subsequent legal codes, including Mosaic Law in the Hebrew Bible and Roman law.
- The stele containing the code was discovered in 1901 in Susa (modern-day Iran) and is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Notable Example of a Law:
One of the most famous laws states:
“If a man destroy the eye of another man, they shall destroy his eye. If one break a man’s bone, they shall break his bone.”
While reflecting the harshness of ancient justice, the code also aimed to ensure fairness and accountability.