CONSCIENCE By informing us of our values and

principles, it becomes the standard we use

Etymology: Latin con (with) + scientia to judge whether or not our actions are
(knowledge)[from scire (to know)] ethical.
The inner sense of what is right or wrong in This is our ability to recognize ethical values
one's conduct or motives, impelling one and principles.
toward right action. The complex of ethical
and moral principles that controls or inhibits The medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas
the actions or thoughts of an individual. believed our conscience emerged from
synderesis: the ‘spark of conscience’.
KEY ASPECTS OF CONSCIENCE
This is our ability to make practical decisions
• Moral Compass informed by ethical values and principles.
• Personal and subjective In his writings, Aristotle described phronesis:
• Evolving the goodness of practical reason. This was
the ability to evaluate a situation clearly so we
• Influenced by External Factors would know how to act virtuously under the
• Not Always Perfect circumstances.

WHAT IS NOT CONSCIENCE FUNCTIONS OF CONSCIENCE

• Not a Strict Set of Rules • Guiding us towards what we ought to

do
• Not Always Loud
• Affording a feeling of self-approval
• Not Always Right when we have done so
• Not a Substitute for Critical Thinking • Inflicting a painful feeling of self-
reproach when we have not done so
• Not a Guarantee of Good Behavior
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSCIENCE
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE
1. Early Childhood (0-6 Years):
Immanuel Kant
Formation of Basic Moral Awareness
Conscience is the voice of reason, a rational
2. Middle Childhood (6-12 Years):
guide that directs moral actions according to
Understanding of Rules and Fairness
universal principles (the categorical
imperative). 3. Adolescence (13-18 Years):
Advanced Moral Reasoning and Self-
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Reflection
Conscience is an innate feeling of moral
4. Early Adulthood (19-30 Years): Moral
goodness, often corrupted by social and
Identity and Personal
cultural influences.
Responsibility
Sigmund Freud
5. Adulthood (30+ Years): Reflection
Freud described conscience as part of the and Refinement of Conscience
superego, the mental structure that
RELIGIOUS INTERPRETATIONS
internalizes societal norms and moral laws.
Christianity: Conscience as a divine gift
Conscience describes two things – what a
guiding individuals to discern right from
person believes is right and how a person
wrong, with a focus on sin and salvation.
decides what is right. More than just ‘gut
instinct’, our conscience is a ‘moral Islam: Conscience as fitrah, the innate moral
muscle’. sense that reflects God’s will.
Judaism: Conscience linked to following CONSCIENCE IN ETHICAL DECISION-
Torah teachings and God’s moral laws. MAKING
TYPES OF CONSCIENCE Helps individuals make difficult choices in
moral dilemmas.
• Certain conscience
Balances personal desires, societal norms,
• It is the complete absence of doubt and moral beliefs to determine ethical
in whether our decision is good or actions.
bad. It's a state of mind where you
firmly believe that your judgment is Conscience is a multi-faceted concept central
accurate. to morality, self-awareness, and ethical
decision-making.
• Correct conscience
Conscience guides individuals in making
• This conscience accurately judges decisions that align with personal and societal
the moral nature of an action, values.
knowing what is right and wrong.
NATURAL LAW
• Erroneous conscience
What is Natural Law?
• This conscience mistakenly judges
the moral nature of an action, - It is a moral theory stating that humans have
believing something wrong to be an inherent sense of right and wrong –
right, or vice versa. derived from reason and nature.
• Doubtful conscience According to Aquinas, Natural Law is part of
Eternal Law (God’s divine wisdom) and is
• This conscience is uncertain about accessible through Human Reason.
the morality of an action, lacking a
clear judgment. - Aquinas believed humans, unlike animals,
can use reason to discover and follow natural
• Lax conscience law.
• This conscience is too lenient, - Morality is objective and universal; ethical
failing to recognize the gravity of behavior should align with rationality.
sins or moral failings.
- Aquinas built upon Aristotle’s Philosophy,
• Scrupulous conscience adapting his ideas into Christian Theology.
• This conscience is overly strict, - Aristotle’s concept of “telos” (purpose)
perceiving minor faults as grave influenced by Aquinas’ belief that everything
sins. has a natural purpose.
• Defiled conscience - Aquinas believed laws contradicting
• This conscience causes guilt for natural law (e.g. slavery, discrimination) are
doing what is right or innocent, not natural laws and should not be followed.
often due to a misunderstanding of
moral principles.
4 TYPES OF LAWS
• Seared conscience
1. Eternal Law – God’s divine wisdom
• This conscience no longer feels that governs everything, ensuring all
guilt or remorse for sin, as it has creation follows its purpose. It is the
become insensitive to moral foundation of all laws.
wrongdoing.
2. Divine Law – God’s revealed law
guiding human morality and salvation.
 'An action to have moral worth, must be
done from duty.'
2 Types of Divine Law
 Old law (Old Testament) –
External, based on commandments COMMON VIEW OF MORALITY
and earthly rewards.
•We judge actions by their results.
 New Law (New Testament) –
Internal, focused on love, faith, and •If an action helps others, it is considered
spiritual salvation through Jesus good.
Christ. CONSEQUENTIALIST APPROACH
3. Natural Law – Derived from - looks at the effects of an action to determine
human nature and universal if it is right or wrong.
moral principles.
4. Human Law – Created by humans, A good action = brings positive results.
governments and societies. A bad action = causes harm or no benefit.
Specific to a society and vary by
location. Problems with this approach:
PRIMARY BASIS OF NATURAL LAW •Human emotions (love, anger, sympathy)
Preservation of Life can cloud judgment.
 Human’s goal is to protect their life and •Future outcomes are uncertain—how do we
dignity. know what will truly be good?
Educate Offspring •Kant believed morality should not depend
on.
 Ensuring moral and intellectual growth,
crucial responsibility in the divine law. DEONTOLOGY
Live in Society Deon- a greek word means duty or
obligation
 Foster social harmony and justice.
Right and wrong which are the primary
Worship God deontic categories, distinct from good and
 Acknowledge a higher being or moral bad they
order. prescribe action:
In summary, Saint Thomas Aquinas viewed •right actions are ones we ought to do
natural law as a moral order rooted in human ( morally required to do)
reason and divine law. He believed it guides
people toward their ultimate purpose and that •wrong actions we ought not to do (are
just human laws must align with it. His ideas morally forbidden from doing)
continue to shape ethics, law, and human
MORALITY BASED ON DUTY
rights today.
Kant's Revolutionary Idea:
IMMANUEL KANT'S DUTY OF ETHICS
•Morality should come from duty, not
•Born on April 22, 1724, in Russia.
outcomes.
•Raised in a strict religious household, which
•A good act is good because it follows moral
influenced his views on morality and duty.
law, not because it leads to good results.
•Moral system based on reason rather than
Foundation Duty of Ethics
religious or emotional influences.
•Morality comes from our ability to reason. -This means humans should be treated
with respect and dignity, not used simply to
•Humans are born with reason, which helps achieve personal objectives.
us understand the world and make decisions.
Reason helps us find universal rules that 3 MINOR MORAL PRINCIPLES
apply to everyone, no matter the situation.
1. Man is ought to be treated as an end.
• to be human then, is to be rational.
2. Man is never to be treated as a means
only.
REASON CONCERNED WITH2 THINGS 3. When it is inevitable that man is to be
treated as a means, his ends should at
1. Theory About Things: least be served at the same time.
- Uses reason to understand and explain the
world.
GOOD WILL AND MORAL ACTION
- Involves knowledge, facts, and how things
work. Good Will:
2. Practical Behavior: - For Kant, a good act is not based on its
consequences but solely on the good will
-Uses reason to guide actions and decisions behind it.
in real life.
Importance of Goodwill
- Focuses on how we should act and behave
according to moral principles. -Kant argues that the good will is the only
thing that is unconditionally good. For
Reason and Morality Kant, a person acts morally when they act out
-Having reason makes us able to act of respect for moral law, not because of any
morally, but it doesn't automatically make personal desire or expectation of
us good. consequences.

-Reason helps us understand what is DUTY AND CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE

moral, but we still need to use it to make •Duty
the right decisions.
-A moral action must be performed out of
-Kant says that reason is the foundation duty, not because of personal desires or
for morality, but it doesn't guarantee good emotions like love or gratitude.
behavior unless we act on it.
•Categorical Imperative
AUTONOMY
-The principle that moral actions must be
Kant emphasizes autonomy — the capacity performed universally by all rational beings,
to act according to one’s rational will and without relying on personal inclinations.
moral principles. It’s the ability to govern
oneself and to act in accordance with - “Act only according to that maxim whereby
universal moral law, which is central to Kant’s you can at the same time will that it should
idea of moral agency. become a universal law.”
PRINCIPLE OF INTRINSIC VALUE KANT’S FORMULA IN CATEGORICAL
IMPERATIVE
-According to Kant, every rational being has
intrinsic value—they are an end-in- •What is the Formula?
themselves, not merely a means to someone
else’s goals. "Act only on that maxim through which you
can at the same time will that it should
become a universal law."
Maxim- is a personal rule or a general understanding, and is essential for building
principle that underlies a particular action. strong relationships and communities.
•What it Means? Prudence
- An action is morally acceptable only if it can Prudence involves being able to deliberate
be universalized — that is, it should be well about practical matters, taking into
something that everyone can do without account the potential consequences of one's
contradiction. actions. Prudence is essential for making
informed decisions and navigating complex
HYPOTHETICAL IMPERATIVE situations.
- This is an action based on a condition or TYPES OF VIRTUE ETHICS VS. HUMAN
desire. FLOURISHING
Types of Virtue Ethics
WHAT MAKES AN ACT MORALLY GOOD? Moral Virtues
1. Intrinsic Value of Man- Every person has A stable character trait, a "mean" between
value and must be respected. two extremes (excess and deficiency), that is
2. Good Will- An action is good when it is developed through habit and practice, leading
done with the right intention, out of duty, not to good actions and a flourishing life.
for personal gain or emotions. 1. Courage (andreia): The virtue of facing
3. Duty- Actions are moral when done fear and danger with confidence and
because they are our duty, not for personal determination .
interest. = Example: A firefighter risks their life to
4. Universal Moral Maxim- The action must save others from a burning building.
be something that could be applied by 2. Justice (dikaiosyne): The virtue of
everyone, everywhere, without contradiction. fairness, equality, and righteousness.
VIRTUE OF ETHICS Example: A person ensures that everyone
Aristotle's Virtue Ethics is a philosophical is treated equally, regardless of their
approach that emphasizes the development background.
of character traits (virtues) that enable 3. Temperance (sophrosyne): The virtue of
individuals to live a morally good life. moderation, self-control, and balance.
THREE WAYS TO COMMUNICATE USING Example: A person maintains a healthy
VIRTUE ETHICS balance between work and leisure.
Honesty 4. Generosity (eleutheriotes): The virtue of
Honesty involves being truthful and sincere in liberality, charity, and kindness.
one's interactions with others, without Example: A person donates to a charity or
deceiving or misleading them. Essential for volunteers their time to help others
building trust, respect, and strong
relationships. Intellectual Virtues
Empathy excellences of the mind, specifically traits that
enhance our ability to think, reason, and
Empathy involves being able to imagine understand, such as wisdom, understanding,
oneself in another's situation and understand and scientific knowledge
their emotions and perspectives. Empathy
fosters compassion, kindness, and 1. Wisdom (Sophia): The virtue of practical
wisdom, prudence, and good judgment.
2. Understanding (Nous): The virtue of - Refers to a state of positive mental health,
comprehension, insight, and discernment. characterized by happiness, life satisfaction,
and psychological well-being.
3. Prudence (phronesis): The virtue of
caution, foresight, and wise decision-making. - Involves cultivating positive emotions,
engagement, relationships, meaning, and
VIRTUES OF SOCIAL INTERACTION achievement.
1. Justice in transactions (dikaiosyne en 3. Social Flourishing (Keyes)
tois pragmasi): The virtue of fairness and
honesty in business and social transactions. - Refers to a state of social well-being,
characterized by positive relationships, social
2. Friendship (philia): The virtue of building connections, and community engagement.
and maintaining strong, healthy relationships.
- Involves cultivating social skills, empathy,
3. Hospitality (xenia): The virtue of and social support networks (Keyes, 1998
welcoming and treating guests with kindness
and generosity. 4. Emotional Flourishing (Fredrickson)
VIRTUES OF PERSONAL GROWTH - Refers to a state of positive emotional well-
being, characterized by happiness, joy, and
1. Self-control (enkrateia): The virtue of emotional resilience.
mastering one's desires, emotions, and
impulses. - Involves cultivating positive emotions, such
as gratitude, love, and awe.
5. Spiritual Flourishing (Paloutzian & Park)
2. Perseverance (karteria): The virtue of
persistence, endurance, and determination. - Refers to a state of spiritual well-being,
characterized by a sense of meaning,
3. Humility (tapeinos): The virtue of purpose, and connection to something
modesty, humility, and recognition of one's greater than oneself.
limitations.
- Involves cultivating spiritual practices, such
VIRTUES OF CHARACTER as meditation, prayer, and mindfulness.
1. Truthfulness (aletheia): The virtue of ARISTOTLE CONCEPT OF EUDAIMONIA
honesty, sincerity, and accuracy. IN VIRTUE ETHICS AND THEIR
2. Friendliness (philia): The virtue of FUNCTIONS
warmth, kindness, and affection. VIRTUE AND EUDAIMONIA
3. Wittiness (eutrapelia): The virtue of Virtues and Eudaimonia:
cleverness, humor, and charm.
Aristotle argues that virtues are essential for
HUMAN FLOURISHING achieving eudaimonia. Virtues are:
1. Eudaimonic Flourishing (Aristotle) "...habits of character that enable us to
- Refers to living a life of happiness, achieve eudaimonia."
fulfillment, and virtue. Some key virtues that contribute to
- Involves cultivating virtues, such as wisdom, eudaimonia include:
courage, and justice, to achieve a state of 1. Wisdom (phronesis): enables individuals
eudaimonia. to make wise decisions and live a virtuous
2. Psychological Flourishing (Seligman) life.
2. Courage (andreia): enables individuals to considering the specific context and
face challenges and dangers with confidence circumstances of a moral decision.
and determination.
Virtue ethics provides a framework for ethical
3. Justice (dikaiosyne): enables individuals decision-making and behavior by
to live in harmony with others and uphold emphasizing the importance of:
moral principles.
1. Moral character: Developing good moral
FUNCTIONS OF EUDAIMONIA character and virtues is essential for making
ethical decisions.
1. Final End: Eudaimonia is the ultimate goal
of human life, and all other goods are means 2. Practical wisdom: Virtue ethics
to achieving it. emphasizes the importance of practical
wisdom (phronesis) in making ethical
2. Standard of Evaluation: Eudaimonia decisions.
serves as a standard for evaluating the
goodness of human actions and character 3.Emotional intelligence: Virtue ethics
traits. recognizes the importance of emotional
intelligence and empathy in making ethical
3. Motivation: The desire for eudaimonia decisions.
motivates individuals to cultivate virtues and
live a morally good life. 4. Contextual consideration: Virtue ethics
emphasizes the importance of considering
4. Fulfillment of Human Nature: the specific context and circumstances of a
Eudaimonia is achieved when individuals moral decision.
fulfill their unique human potential and live in
accordance with their rational nature ROLE OF ETHICS IN DECISION MAKING
INTRODUCTION OF VIRTUE ETHICS AND 1. Promotes integrity: Ethical decision-
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING AND making fosters a sense of integrity, which is
BEHAVIOR essential for building trust and credibility
(Kohlberg, 1981).
Virtue ethics is an ancient Greek
philosophical tradition that focuses on the 2. Encourages responsibility: Ethical
development of moral character and the decision-making encourages individuals to
cultivation of virtues. The core idea is that take responsibility for their actions and their
individuals should strive to become good consequences (Bandura, 1997).
people, with virtues such as honesty,
compassion, and fairness, rather than simply 3.Fosters respect: Ethical decision-making
following moral rules or maximizing promotes respect for others' rights, dignity,
consequences (Hursthouse, 1999). and well-being (Rawls, 1971).

1.Character-based ethics: Virtue ethics 4.Builds trust: Ethical behavior helps build
emphasizes the importance of moral trust among individuals, groups, and
character and the development of virtues. organizations (Lewicki & Bunker, 1995).

2. Virtues as habits: Virtues are seen as 5.Enhances reputation: Ethical behavior

habits or dispositions that are cultivated can enhance an individual's or organization's
through practice and repetition. reputation and credibility (Fombrun &
Shanley, 1990).
3. Eudaimonia: The ultimate goal of virtue
ethics is to achieve eudaimonia, or human 6.Contributes to social well-being: Ethical
flourishing. behavior can contribute to the overall well-
being of society by promoting social justice,
4. Contextual decision-making: Virtue fairness, and human rights (Singer, 2011).
ethics emphasizes the importance of
SUMMARY
Virtue ethics emphasizes the development of Bios means life and ethos means custom.
moral character traits to achieve human
flourishing, with types including Aristotelian, Bioethics, branch of applied ethics that
eudaimonistic, and care virtue ethics. Human studies the philosophical, social, and legal
flourishing, or eudaimonia, refers to a state of issues arising in medicine and the life
living where an individual achieves their full sciences.
potential and experiences well-being and It is chiefly concerned with human life and
fulfillment. Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia well-being, though it sometimes also treats
is central to virtue ethics, encompassing a ethical questions relating to the nonhuman
broader sense of living a virtuous and fulfilling biological environment.
life. The functions of virtue ethics include
character development, moral guidance, and Emerged as a distinct field of study in the
promoting human flourishing. Virtue ethics early 1960s. It was influenced not only by
provides a framework for making ethical advances in the life sciences, particularly
decisions and living a morally good life, medicine, but also, by the significant cultural
applicable in personal and professional and societal changes taking place at the time,
settings. primarily in the West.

BIOETHICS Concerned with the ethical issues that arise

from the emergence and development in the
PLATO life sciences, such as biotechnology and
The body is a coffin to the soul or constraints medicine.
the soul from what it can know ( Pavo, 2010). ETHICAL ISSUES
ARISTOTLE ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Man is a rational animal and the soul can be EUTHANASIA
delineated. ABORTION
SEX REASSIGNMENT
ST. AUGUSTINE INVERTO FERTILIZATION
Treat the body as the locus of lust and sin. Bioethicist address the morality of these
Pavo,(2010) ethical issues using appropriate ethical
theories, such as Utilitarian ethics, Kantian
RENE DESCARTES ethics, Christian ethics, and Pragmatic ethics.
COGITO, ERGO SUM. According to him, the RELATED ETHICAL THEORY FOR
brain with which man makes sense of BIOETHICS
everything is a part of his somatic
component. 1. Utilitarian Ethics- Do what brings the
most good to the most people.
ALDO LEOPOLD
In Bioethics: Used to decide what helps the
Humans do not hold a special place on this most patients.
planet; psychology and biology are in unison,
telling us that the brain regulates almost Example: In emergencies, help those with the
everything that takes place in the body and is best chance of survival.
as vital as the other organs.
2. Kantian Ethics- Do the right thing
EDWARD O. WILSON because it's your duty, and always respect
people.
An American Socio-biologist was prompted to
say that “ The brain is a device for survival, In Bioethics: Patients should be told the truth
reproduction, and reason is just one of its and treated with respect.
techniques.”
Example: Always get permission (informed
BIOETHICS consent) before treating someone.
3. Christian Ethics- Life is sacred. Act with Obligation of the medical practitioner to act
love, kindness, and care for others. for the benefits of those who seek medical
attention.
In Bioethics: Protects life and believes in
caring for the sick. JUSTICE
Example: Opposes euthanasia because only The act of giving one what she deserves or
God gives and takes life. what is due to her.
4. Pragmatic Ethics- Make choices based DEATH PENALTY AND ASSISTED SUICIDE
on what works best in the real world.
DEATH PENALTY (LETHAL INJECTION)
In Bioethics: Focuses on solving problems in
real situations. The state-sanctioned punishment of
executing an individual for a specific crime.
Example: Try new treatments during a health
crisis if they seem to help. ASSISTED SUICIDE

CORE BIOETHICAL PRINCIPLES also known as physician-assisted suicide, is

the process by which a person, with the help
STEWARDSHIP of others, takes action to end their life. This
medical practice is an end-of-life measure for
Human should not harm but rather improve a person suffering a painful, terminal illness.
and care for their body.
COSMETICS SURGERY AND ORGAN
TOTALITY TRANSPPLANTATION
Every person has the duty to develop, use, COSMETIC SURGERY
care for, and preserve all his bodily parts.
known as aesthetic surgery, is where a
SOLIDARITY person chooses to have an operation, or
Being one with the other. invasive medical procedure, to change their
physical appearance for aesthetic reasons.
RESPECT FOR PERSON
ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Recognition of the equality possessed by
every human being as a unique, worthy , is a surgical procedure in which an
rational creature. organ/s, tissue or group of cells are
removed from one person the donor) and
BIOMEDICAL ETHICS transplanted into another person (the
Deals with real-life decisions that doctors recepient).
have to make when they face those situations SEX REASSIGNMENT AND GENETIC
which requires moral judgement. ENGINEERING
4 PRINCIPLE OF BIO-MEDICAL ETHICS SEX REASSIGNMENT
Respect for Autonomy surgical alteration of a person's physical
Acknowledgement that every individual sex characteristics or the administration of
human being is entitled to hold his own hormones in order to match the person's
valuation of things. gender identity.

NON-MALEFICENCE GENETIC ENGINEERING

The non-inflection of evil, harm, or injury to also called genetic modification or genetic
others, and of course to one’s self. manipulation, is the modification and
manipulation of an organism's genes using
BENEFICENCE technology.
INVERTRO FERTILIZATION AND Dennett’s notion of the self is adopted as a
EUTHANASIA working definition.
IN VITRO FERTALIZATION(IVF) THE BRAIN: SURVIVAL MACHINE’S
GREATEST TOOL
is a process of fertilisation in which an egg is
combined with sperm in vitro. The process According to Richard Dawkins (2006), all life
involves monitoring and stimulating the forms humans, animals, plants, bacteria are
“survival machines” built to carry and protect
ovulatory process, then removing an ovum or
genes, the true creators of life.
ova (egg or eggs) from the ovaries and
enabling sperm to fertilise them in a culture What makes humans unique is the
medium in a laboratory. development of a brain, the core of our
nervous system.
EUTHANASIA
The brain’s main role is to control muscles
meaning "good death" or "easy death," and coordinate behavior to help the body
involves ending a person's life, usually to survive.
relieve suffering from an incurable or terminal
Konrad Lorenz (1963) adds that survival
condition
behaviors like feeding, fleeing, mating, and
ABORTION aggression depend on muscle movement,
which the brain manages.
is the termination of a pregnancy by removal
or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. When Thus, the brain evolved as a decision-making
abortion happens with human intervention it tool for genes to improve their survival
is called induced abortion whereas, when it chances.
takes place unintentionally or due to natural
THE NATURE OF THE MIND
INNER SELF
Store memories, recall, and anticipate:
In the tradition of philosophy, several
The brain remembers important experiences
philosophers wrestled with the concept of
to survive and predict future needs.
self. In Rene Descartes’ Cogito Ergo Sum,
the self is understood as one’s Controlling:
consciousness or awareness of one’s
existence. Humans control their environment to get
resources like food, shelter, and mates
Buddha’s description of the self in the
discourse to saccaka is quite similar with Watchful:
Descartes’ in as much as it seen as a The mind is alert to dangers and always
consciousness. seeks what is missing for survival.
ORIGIN OF THE SELF THE GREAT DILEMMA
Dennett argues that self-preservation is the A great dilemma generally refers to a
foundational biological principle. situation requiring a choice between two or
The importance of territory in self- more undesirable options. Like,
preservation Conflicting Obligations
Dennett argues that the drive for self- Moral Conflict
preservation necessitates the creation of Moral Failure
boundaries. Lack of Easy Solution
Complexity and Impact
The concept of territory is intrinsically linked
to an animal’s self-serving nature. And it’s often conflicting moral or ethical
values, where no matter the choice, some
moral value is compromised. This concept is
closely related to moral dilemma in
philosophy and ethics, where individuals face
conflicting obligations and the potential for
moral failure regardless of their actions.
IMAGES OF THE MIND: THE GARDEN
The author uses the metaphor of a garden to
represent the mind. Flowers symbolize
positive thought, while weeds represent
negativity. Without regular care, negativity
overtakes positivity.
Conclusion
In summary, Man’s mind is naturally wild and
needs conscious control, like a gardener
tending a garden by organizing and
maintaining it. The task of maintaining the
mind (and garden) is ongoing, requiring
constant effort. If neglected, both revert to
their natural chaotic state.
Ultimately, the text point out that nature itself
is not chaotic from its own perspective- chaos
is a human interpretation- because nature
simply exists and thrives without conscious
thought.