I've been asked, as a Satanist, what principals or standards should do you live your life by – and does Satanic philosophy give any inspiration or guidance in this respect? Furthermore, how does the (un)common Satanist who is primarily bound by self-centric forces approach the ideas of Social Justice, Morality, Cultural Differences, ecological stewardship, etc?

I think it best to approach this initially from a generalized point of view focused on ethics, which in itself can incorporate the sub-contexts of morality, social justice, racism, etc. In doing so, I ask, “Is there a ‘Satanic Primer’ to begin the discussion?” I could draw from any number of texts from LaVey, Raynd, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, or even Crowley. However I think the topic might be better served without using any of these lest this topic disintegrate into interpretations of rehashed philosophical ideas. Rather, I invite the individual contributions of personal thought and theory. Let’s not begin this by comparing the pre-existing ethics of religion or philosophy. Instead, let’s look at the concept in and of itself and attempt to define it via collective self-centric means, if I may coin a phrase. In the most simplistic of terms, let’s keep the discussion as original as possible.

Already my head is in a quagmire of trying to define external or collective self-centricity and its ensuing paradoxes…how do we as Satanists collectively practice Satanic ethics while protecting our individual freedom? If we share ethical ideals, are we one step closer to becoming another "herd?" How does one balance a self-centric philosophy when faced with ethical questions that demand an external viewpoint or action? Can one truly live in a state of moral or ethical ambiguity?

Indeed, many of us could cling tightly to the literal pre-conceptions and "sacred" statements of Satanic thought in order to dodge this entire issue. Only recently have I come to understand the cowardice in this stance. Within the mind of a Satanist, bearing in mind that he holds himself or his control over his life above almost everything else, how does he reconcile external issues like war, racism, political affiliation, sexuality, environmental issues, etc? In doing so, are there a set of guidelines that follow a specific Satanic line of thought or are we all free to act within our own definitions of morality? Does this qualify or discount the concept of Satanism in itself?

Further thoughts on this to come.