[Ajedi32]

If you're talking about "obedience" in general though, then some equally valid examples of rules someone might ask you to obey would include "don't murder people" and "don't do drugs". "Obedience" is far too broad of a term for you to characterize it as outright good or bad entirely.

[thriftwy]

Following laws is not "obedience", as long as laws are reasonably consistent and universally enforced.

Also, "don't do drugs" is not usually a law, unless in repressive jurisdictions. You can't sell drugs and perhaps possess large quantities, but you can do drugs as an adult making choices.

[Ajedi32]

Perhaps you could clarify what you mean when you say "obedience" then, because it seems to me that you and I have very different definitions of what that is.

Google defines obedience as:

> compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority

So going by that definition, following the law is indeed "obedience". Similarly, complying with a court order would also be "obedience", as would pulling over to the side of the road when a police officer drives behind you with their lights and siren on, or listening to a lifeguard at a pool when they tell everyone to get out of the water.

In fact, if we're going by the dictionary definition of obedience, I would argue that obedience is necessary for the very existence of civilized society.

[thriftwy]

I mean trying to internalize other entity's commands as your own behaviour.

That's the idea behind Chinese "points for obedience" system, isn't it?

[acmecorps]

Following the law? Isn't that just "obeying the law"? (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/obedient)

I don't think being obedient and "trying to internalize other entity's command as your own behaviour" is the exact same thing (one might overlap - that I agree).

[thriftwy]

For example, I am obeying the law that disallow taking bribes all the time because nobody ever tries to bribe me.

I hope you don't laugh because that's exactly you are trying to convey.

No that doesn't work that way, and dictionary won't help you. For starters, you should understand the distinction between action and inaction.

Then you should take on personal borders topic.

[Ajedi32]

Hmm... perhaps the term you're looking for is "blind obedience"? I don't think the word "obedience" on its own accurately describes what you're trying to convey.

[thriftwy]

No it's not "blind obedience", it's the opposite of that. It's trying to score points by showing obedience.