Pocket Guide

Aurora Code Pocket Guide

A practical tool for quick ethical decisions in complex situations. Three questions, five red lines, 30-second algorithm, and honest conversation formulas.

Version 1.0 Based on Aurora Code CC BY-SA
Foundation

🎯 Three Questions Before Any Decision

Ask yourself these questions in any difficult situation:

1. Do I Respect the Dignity of All Affected?

  • Am I not turning anyone into a tool?
  • Do I consider the voices of the weak and voiceless?
  • Are there those I "don't see"? (future generations, vulnerable groups)

2. Am I Harming Innocents?

  • Who will suffer from my choice?
  • Is there a way to achieve the goal without this harm?
  • If harm is inevitable - is it proportional to the good?

3. Can I Publicly Explain My Decision?

  • Am I ready to defend this choice to those I respect?
  • Will I be proud of this in 10 years?
  • Would I want others to do the same in a similar situation?
⚠️ Rule: If the answer to at least one question is "no" - stop and reconsider the decision.
Absolute

🚫 Five Red Lines (NEVER)

These actions are unacceptable under any circumstances:

  1. Torture and Dehumanization
    No goal justifies the humiliation of human dignity
  2. Intentional Harm to Civilians
    Innocents cannot be a tool for achieving even a good goal
  3. Lying for Personal Gain
    Truth serves good; lies are acceptable only to save lives
  4. Collective Punishment
    Responsibility is always individual
  5. Exploitation of the Defenseless
    Another's weakness is not an opportunity, but a responsibility
🔴 These lines have no exceptions. Period.
Practice

⚡ "30 Seconds to Decide" Algorithm

When you need to decide FAST:

STOP → ASSESS → ACT

1. STOP (5 sec)

  • ⏸ Take a deep breath
  • ⏸ "Is this a crisis or does it seem like one?"

2. ASSESS (15 sec)

  • 📍 Who is at risk NOW?
  • 📍 Are there red lines?
  • 📍 What is my immediate duty?

3. ACT (10 sec)

  • ✓ Minimal necessary intervention
  • ✓ Protect the weak
  • ✓ Document later
Priority in Crisis:
Life → Dignity → Freedom → Justice → Everything Else

🎚️ Intervention Ladder

Don't jump straight to force. Climb the steps:

  1. Word
    Express concern directly, without accusations. "I noticed... this concerns me because..."
  2. Example
    Show an alternative through your behavior. Be the change you want to see.
  3. Social Pressure
    Publicly identify the problem, appeal to the community. "We as a group need to discuss this"
  4. Legal Measures
    Engage institutions, file a complaint, turn to the law. Documents, procedures, official channels.
  5. Physical Protection
    ONLY when there is an immediate threat to life or dignity. Minimal force, proportional to the threat.
⚠️ Don't skip steps without reason!

💬 Honest Conversation Formula (NVC)

When you need to discuss something difficult:

1. OBSERVATION (facts without judgments)

❌ "You're always late!"

✅ "We agreed on 3:00 PM, you arrived at 3:40 PM"

2. FEELING (your emotion)

❌ "You're pissing me off!"

✅ "I feel disappointed and anxious"

3. NEED (what's behind the feeling)

❌ "You're disrespectful!"

✅ "It's important to me to feel that my time is valued"

4. REQUEST (specific action)

❌ "Be more punctual!"

✅ "Can you text me if you're running more than 10 minutes late?"

✨ This works in 90% of conflicts

🔄 "I Was Wrong" Protocol (DRP-5)

When you realize you were wrong:

  1. PAUSE
    Stop, don't defend reflexively
  2. CHECK
    Confirm the mistake independently (ask others, check sources)
  3. ACKNOWLEDGE
    Publicly acknowledge the mistake with the same audience as the original action. "I said X, but that was incorrect because..."
  4. CORRECTION
    Compensate for harm if it was caused
  5. LESSON
    Publicly: "What did I learn?" - so others don't repeat. Personally: "What system failed me?" - change the process
💎 Honesty is more valuable than reputation

🧭 Evening Checklist (2 minutes)

Before bed, ask yourself:

  • Did I cross any red lines today? (if yes → correction plan)
  • Was there an opportunity to help that I missed?
  • Did I tell the truth, even when it was uncomfortable?
  • Did I listen to someone I disagree with?
  • Am I grateful for at least one small thing?
🌱 The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to grow.

📞 When You Need Help

The code is a compass, but not a replacement for professionals:

Seek a psychologist/psychiatrist:

  • Thoughts of self-harm
  • Persistent feeling of unreality
  • Paranoid beliefs

Seek a lawyer:

  • Line between civil disobedience and crime
  • Complex whistleblowing issues
  • Contractual dilemmas

Seek a spiritual advisor:

  • Existential crisis
  • Questions about the meaning of suffering
  • Integrating the code with religion
⚕️ The code complements, but does not replace, professional help
Essence

🔑 Main Point in One Paragraph

Respect everyone's dignity. Don't harm innocents. Tell the truth. Help the weak. Admit mistakes. Start small, use force as a last resort. Be open to dialogue. Think about consequences for future generations. Live so you'll be proud of yourself in 10 years.

📱 Save This

  • Option 1: Print and keep in your wallet
  • Option 2: Take a screenshot, save to favorites
  • Option 3: Rewrite by hand - it's better for memory

Reread once a week for the first 2 months, then as needed

Version 1.0 | Based on Aurora Code | CC BY-SA License

Full version of the code