ImprobableJoe
New Member
For post #1000(yeah, I know...), I though I would start a thread to discuss something that maybe doesn't get talked about enough in a specific manner: Ethical Behavior.
We live in a world where rules seem made to be broken. No one drives the speed limit anymore... in fact, if you are only driving 5-10 MPH over the speed limit you'll get run over on the interstate. People download illegal copies of music and movies, and see nothing wrong with it. They complain that there shouldn't even be laws making it illegal, because they are "entitled" to something for nothing. Divorce and adultery are rampant to the point that there's an online dating service for married people looking to cheat on their spouses. Religious folks have been engaging in a war on science and reason, claiming that we secular types are evil and immoral, while using lies and half-truths to make that case. The world economic system is in chaos because lots of people thought that they could get something for next to nothing, and corporations and banks drove prices sky-high for short-term gains, knowing that when it all crashed they could walk away with their fortune and let the government absorb the losses. In America, the government has declared that torturing prisoners in violation of the law is acceptable if they are accused of a bad enough crime (terrorism) but they have no right to be tried for terrorism and be convicted or released. No one can be convicted for violating the Geneva Convention, because it would be "uncomfortable" from a purely political standpoint.
From little things that barely matter, all the way up to behaviors that appear to violate the foundations of civilization, people seem to go through life without even the barest consideration of what behavior is ethical. Of course, they want others to treat THEM well, but without a sense of reciprocity, that's not ethics.... that's just being a spoiled asshole. What ever happened to looking out for each other? What about the concept of keeping your word, following the rules, not taking things without paying for them?Since when is simple honesty an inconvenience that people just don't bother with? How about the rule of law, is that out of style now?
Sweet Satan, I'm not a Pollyanna who thinks that the past was some sort of golden era where everyone treated everyone else with dignity and respect. On the other hand, it doesn't seem like people even pay lip service to the ideas of integrity, honesty, commitment, or much of anything else. Generally, the people who DO talk about it tend to be the worst offenders themselves (Ted Haggard, anyone?)
I'm also not trying to claim that I'm perfect. I've downloaded things illegally before. I've driven over the speed limit. I've never actually violated the Geneva Convention, but I have punched someone in the face a few times. I'm not a saint. The difference between me and the people I'm talking about is that I TRY to do better. I understand that some of the things I've done are wrong, and I struggle every day to do the best I can to be the best I can.
People often say "no one's perfect" and that's true, but there's two ways you can look at it. The ethical person sees that perfection is impossible, and knows that it is the effort that counts. You try to do the right thing, and if you fail today you try twice as hard tomorrow. The unethical person sees that perfection is impossible, and claims that there's no point in trying to strive towards being better. Other people get away with not doing the right thing, so they feel justified in breaking the rules too. They will also assert that the fact that they are unlikely to get caught is a good reason to break the rules.
Maybe I'm just getting old and crotchety... but I also had some good role models growing up, and I want to be like those folks. I don't feel like getting away with things is the best way to live. I think behaving in an ethical way is actually important, even if you sometimes fail at it.
What do you guys think?
We live in a world where rules seem made to be broken. No one drives the speed limit anymore... in fact, if you are only driving 5-10 MPH over the speed limit you'll get run over on the interstate. People download illegal copies of music and movies, and see nothing wrong with it. They complain that there shouldn't even be laws making it illegal, because they are "entitled" to something for nothing. Divorce and adultery are rampant to the point that there's an online dating service for married people looking to cheat on their spouses. Religious folks have been engaging in a war on science and reason, claiming that we secular types are evil and immoral, while using lies and half-truths to make that case. The world economic system is in chaos because lots of people thought that they could get something for next to nothing, and corporations and banks drove prices sky-high for short-term gains, knowing that when it all crashed they could walk away with their fortune and let the government absorb the losses. In America, the government has declared that torturing prisoners in violation of the law is acceptable if they are accused of a bad enough crime (terrorism) but they have no right to be tried for terrorism and be convicted or released. No one can be convicted for violating the Geneva Convention, because it would be "uncomfortable" from a purely political standpoint.
From little things that barely matter, all the way up to behaviors that appear to violate the foundations of civilization, people seem to go through life without even the barest consideration of what behavior is ethical. Of course, they want others to treat THEM well, but without a sense of reciprocity, that's not ethics.... that's just being a spoiled asshole. What ever happened to looking out for each other? What about the concept of keeping your word, following the rules, not taking things without paying for them?Since when is simple honesty an inconvenience that people just don't bother with? How about the rule of law, is that out of style now?
Sweet Satan, I'm not a Pollyanna who thinks that the past was some sort of golden era where everyone treated everyone else with dignity and respect. On the other hand, it doesn't seem like people even pay lip service to the ideas of integrity, honesty, commitment, or much of anything else. Generally, the people who DO talk about it tend to be the worst offenders themselves (Ted Haggard, anyone?)
I'm also not trying to claim that I'm perfect. I've downloaded things illegally before. I've driven over the speed limit. I've never actually violated the Geneva Convention, but I have punched someone in the face a few times. I'm not a saint. The difference between me and the people I'm talking about is that I TRY to do better. I understand that some of the things I've done are wrong, and I struggle every day to do the best I can to be the best I can.
People often say "no one's perfect" and that's true, but there's two ways you can look at it. The ethical person sees that perfection is impossible, and knows that it is the effort that counts. You try to do the right thing, and if you fail today you try twice as hard tomorrow. The unethical person sees that perfection is impossible, and claims that there's no point in trying to strive towards being better. Other people get away with not doing the right thing, so they feel justified in breaking the rules too. They will also assert that the fact that they are unlikely to get caught is a good reason to break the rules.
Maybe I'm just getting old and crotchety... but I also had some good role models growing up, and I want to be like those folks. I don't feel like getting away with things is the best way to live. I think behaving in an ethical way is actually important, even if you sometimes fail at it.
What do you guys think?