Claim. Horizontal relationships in society must be built on God’s love standard, expanding from family outward to all humankind; the value of a human life is measured by the depth at which the five senses are invested into love and life, not by ambition or possession.
Elaboration. SMM grounds horizontal ethics in vertical love: “The life of religious people should be one where they become united with God, stand as the representatives of God’s love before creation and this world, and expand and connect the horizontal relationships to the whole environment, based on a standard of love” (10.2. Social relationships, 82-275, 1976.2.1). The two-commandment frame is the operating measure — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… You shall love your neighbor as yourself” — extended universally: “You should love all humankind; they are your brothers and neighbors” (ibid, 136-139, 1985.12.22). Value is investment-measured: “the question of how much value we have as a human being is determined by the level of investment by all our five senses into our life and love” (ibid, 32-19, 1970.6.14). Arrogance and stubbornness — “the natures and elements of Satan” — block the give-and-take from flowing (ibid, 37-132, 1970.12.23). Love of the elderly is specifically commanded: “You should love and respect the elderly more than you do the young people” (ibid, 25-289, 1969.10.5). Social ethics is therefore the radial expansion of family love.