Google Gemini: 1. The Ten Commandments (Judeo-Christian)

The Ten Commandments (also known as the Decalogue) are foundational religious and moral laws found in the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible (primarily in Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21).

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.(Prohibits worshipping any deity other than God.)
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol or worship grave images.(Prohibits idolatry and representation of the Divine.)
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.(Prohibits disrespecting or swearing falsely by God’s name.)
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.(Commands resting and worship on the Sabbath day.)
5. Honor your father and your mother.(Commands respect and care for parents.)
6. You shall not murder.(Prohibits taking innocent human life.)
7. You shall not commit adultery.(Commands marital fidelity.)
8. You shall not steal.(Prohibits taking someone else’s property.)
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.(Prohibits lying, perjury, and false accusation.)
10. You shall not covet.(Prohibits longing for your neighbor’s spouse, house, or possessions.)

2. Moral Commandments in Islam

Islam recognizes Moses (known as Musa in Arabic) as a major prophet of God (Allah) and honors the revelation given to him (Torah / Tawrat). However, Islam does not have a single formal list specifically called «The Ten Commandments» in the exact same manner.

Instead, the core moral and ethical directives corresponding to the Ten Commandments are prominently highlighted in the Quran, most notably in Surah Al-Isra (17:22–39) and Surah Al-An’am (6:151–153).

The 10 Principles from Surah Al-Isra (Quran 17:22–39)

Scholars frequently point to this passage as the Islamic counterpart to the Ten Commandments, as it outlines ten clear, fundamental moral injunctions:

1. Worship only God (Monotheism): Do not set up any other deity alongside Allah (Tawhid).
2. Be good to your parents: Treat parents with utmost respect, care, and kindness, especially in their old age.
3. Fulfill rights of family, the needy, and travelers: Be generous and help those in need, avoiding miserliness.
4. Do not be extravagant or wasteful: Spend responsibly and avoid squandering wealth.
5. Do not kill your children out of fear of poverty: Trust in God to provide for families.
6. Do not approach or commit adultery (Zina): Avoid all forms of illicit sexual relations and actions leading to them.
7. Do not kill any soul unjustly: Human life is sacred, and killing is strictly forbidden except by legal due process.
8. Protect the property of orphans: Safeguard and manage the property of orphans fairly until they reach maturity.
9. Keep your promises and fulfill covenants: Stand by your contracts, pledges, and words.
10. Be honest in trade and measurements / Walk humbly on Earth: Give full measure/weight in transactions, and do not walk upon the earth with arrogance or pride.

Comparison Summary

Principle	Judeo-Christian Tradition	Islamic Tradition (Quran)
Monotheism	No other gods before Me	Set up no deity besides God (17:22)
Idolatry	No graven images	Avoid idol worship and false gods (22:30)
Parents	Honor your father and mother	Show kindness to parents (17:23)
Life	You shall not murder	Do not kill any soul unjustly (17:33)
Adultery	You shall not commit adultery	Do not approach unlawful sexual relations (17:32)
Honesty	Do not bear false witness	Be honest in measurements and contracts (17:34–35)

Reint Jelger: Would atheists not have any commandments? There is something like deugdethiek in philosophy, right?

Because atheism is simply the absence of belief in deities, it is not a religion or a centralized belief system. As a result, there is no single authority, holy text, or set of universal «commandments» for atheists.

However, atheists do not live in a moral vacuum. Most base their ethics on secular philosophy, human reason, empathy, and social cooperation.

1. Secular Ethics & Virtue Ethics (Deugdenethiek)

You are completely right to bring up virtue ethics (deugdethiek in Dutch). It is one of the three major normative ethical frameworks in philosophy, alongside deontology (duty-based ethics) and consequentialism/utilitarianism (outcome-based ethics).

Unlike commandment-based systems (which focus on rules: «Thou shalt not…»), virtue ethics focuses on character:

• Core Question: Instead of asking «What rule should I follow?», virtue ethics asks «What kind of person should I be?»
• Origin: Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy—most notably Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics)—and completely independent of monotheistic religion.
• How it Works: It emphasizes developing good character traits (virtues, or deugden) like courage, temperance, justice, honesty, and wisdom. According to Aristotle, living virtuously leads to Eudaimonia (human flourishing or well-being).
• Application for Secular/Atheist Thought: An atheist practicing virtue ethics doesn’t refrain from lying because God banned it, but because honesty is essential to personal integrity and building a trustworthy, flourishing society.

2. «Commandments» in Secular Humanism

Many non-religious people align with Secular Humanism, a worldview centered on human agency, reason, and compassion. While Secular Humanists explicitly reject the concept of divine «commandments,» several philosophers and groups have drafted alternative sets of principles to summarize secular morality.

The «Ten Commitments» (American Humanist Association)

Rather than rigid prohibitions, these are framed as positive aspirations:

1. Critical Thinking: Practice reason and scientific inquiry.
2. Ethical Development: Continually reflect on values and actions.
3. Peace and Social Justice: Work toward a fair and peaceful world.
4. Service: Help others and improve society.
5. Responsibility: Take responsibility for our actions and their impact.
6. Global Awareness: Recognize humanity’s interconnectedness.
7. Humility: Acknowledge our limitations and remain open to learning.
8. Environmental Stewardship: Protect the natural world.
9. Empathy: Practice compassion and treat others with dignity.
10. Altruism: Seek the well-being of all people.

Christopher Hitchens‘ «Ten Commandments»

The outspoken secular author Christopher Hitchens famously proposed a reworked, non-religious list of guidelines in 2010. Among his suggestions were:

• Do not swallow your moral convictions to satisfy a group.
• Do not condemn people for their sexual preferences.
• Do not treat children as property or indoctrinate them.
• Do not believe that your religion/ideology makes you superior to others.

3. How Other Secular Frameworks Handle Morality

Beyond virtue ethics, atheists often draw on other secular moral frameworks:

• The Golden Rule (Reciprocity): «Treat others as you would like to be treated.» This principle predates monotheism and appears in almost every human culture independently.
• Utilitarianism (Consequentialism): Formulated by thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, this framework argues that the moral choice is the one that minimizes suffering and maximizes overall well-being for the greatest number of people.
• Social Contract Theory: Philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that moral rules and laws exist because humans collectively agree to them in order to live in peace and safety.

Key Difference: Rules vs. Reason

Religious «Commandments»	Secular Morality / Virtue Ethics
Source: Divine revelation or authority	Source: Human reason, empathy, and experience
Structure: Top-down rules (Thou shalt not)	Structure: Character cultivation (How to flourish)
Flexibility: Absolute & immutable	Flexibility: Context-dependent & open to refinement
Motivation: Obedience, divine grace, or afterlife	Motivation: Well-being of self, community, and society