Which of the following deadly sins (according to Gandhi) is the worst and why?

Question

According to Mahatma Gandhi, the following are his list of deadly sins. Tell me which one you think is the worst and why.
1. Wealth without Work
2.Pleasure without Conscience
3.Science without Humanity
4. Knowledge without Character
5. Politics without Principle
6.Commerce without Morality
7. Worship without Sacrifice

Answer 1

Interesting questions
I would say these sins have one thing in common, they show a lack of ethics.
They are divided in different categories that overlap :


Wealth without Work
Commerce without Morality

Pursuit of wealth without the willingness to work for it, or care for the means by which it achieved. Wealth is great, but what is much greater is the growth the human being achieves for work which is the development of his human powers . Lots of times it becomes like a building without foundation and finally the price you pay is the ceasing of your own human development. From work comes TRUE dignity that doesn't compare to anything, from being rich without working for it you migh get a false sense of superiority or worth, but never the same dignity.

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Pleasure without Conscience
Wealth without Work
Commerce without Morality

In these three there is an obvious selfishness. The desire to be the center. You become the center, and are concerned by your needs, your satisfaction. And in the process would hurt other people to get what "you think" is yours. Narcissism.

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Politics without Principle
Science without Humanity

In these two you see what happens where there is burocracy or the likes. Government or science (lets say medicine) who is suppose to be at the service and advancement of mankind in a way disregard the individual, which becomes generic. And fail to see the humanity there is in each person. People become casualties, cases, collateral damages. Equality must be remembered to prevent one man from becoming the instrument of another. And when we talk about principles we need to go deeper, i am not talking about corruption, but about other decisions, per example war. How can war be the answer? how can peace come from war... The perfect analogy for me is boxing, two people face to face and hurting each other.

Another direct example is Ghandi, and pacifism. All the indians if they wanted could have killed the british and started a real war. But Ghandi understood that if he got the independence violently, they would end up with a violent india. And hundred of thousand of people would have been killed.
A complely disturbed society.

Because the medium/way is as important as the end/objective.

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Knowledge without Character
This one talks about values. what is having all the knowledge without the human foundation? being a computer. Often when this happen, the person who knows a lot might think the are superior to other people. Knowledge won't define the type of human being you will be, character will do, Also you need it in difficult situations, where you have to make tough choices. Ultimately

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Worship without sacrifice
this one i won't interpret it in the religious way. But i terms of devotion. When you feel devotion to a person or a cause you are willing to give yourself and invest your energy to it. And more it is not even a "sacrifice" anymore. Because you feel compelled to do it, this is the only thing that proves your devotion to it. Ultimately this is about love. Choices that make you whole.

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The answer to all the trouble there is in the world is within each one of us. The world is a reflection of what humanity have inside. Only when people change, because i believe we are advancing, there won't be the distortion of rational judgement that comes from narcissism where you fail to see the humanity there is the other person. Ultimately love is the answer.
And the principle "muscles" are worked everyday with little decisions, choices you make that build you as human being.


"I believe that freedom is not a constant attribute that we have or we don't have; perhaps there is only one reality: the act of liberating ourselves in the process of using choices. Every step in life that heightens the maturity of man heightens his ability to choose the freeing alternative...
I believe that the fundamental alternative for man is the choice between life and death; between creativity and destructive violence; between reality and illusions; between objectivity and intolerance; between brotherhood-independence and dominance-submission.
I believe that the experience of love is the most human and humanizing act that it is given to man to enjoy and that it, like reason, makes no sense if conceived in a partial way.
I believe that love is the main key to open the doors to the growth of man. Love and union with someone or something outside of oneself, union that allows one to put oneself into relationship with others, to feel one with others, without limiting the sense of integrity and independence. Love is a productive orientation for which it is essential that there be present at the same time: concern, responsibility, and respect for and knowledge of the object of the union.
"
ERICH FROMM


So to answer your question:
It was tough to make my mind but i thought If i could eliminate one of these things forever and ever it would be politics without principle. If the people who "rule" us could be better the world would be a much better place.


Thanks for you question, it relates to my personal life and really made me think.

Answer 2

I put 4 at the top, but everything else is a close second.

grace2u

Answer 3

5.., only because corrupt or inept governments can cause endless pain and suffering on the people as a whole.