What are your ethics/morals based on?

[prplchknz]

Religion, feelings you get, something else?

my morals are based around the premise: "what will help in the long run, not how does this make me feel"

so I'm for killing if it's going to mean the future is gonna have a better outcome than if we let the person live. Because I can't have my feelings getting in the way of progress. That would destroy us.

 

[Such Irony]

I'm not religious, so no to that.

For me it's mostly based on a sense of fairness and justice for all. What produces the best result for the greatest number of people.

Also yes to "what will help in the long run" rather than "how this makes me feel right now"

 

[á´…eparted]

What makes the most rational sense, and maximizes the enjoyment and freedom to everyone around. Also while keeping things as fair as possible. The two don't mix well and it will never create a perfect system, but it works well enough. It will always be a balance.

My morals and ethics always start external to myself, and I try to keep myself independent of it as much as possible.

 

[gromit]

I guess I act based around some very basic principles, like being honest and kind, having respect for life, etc.

These are probably at their root derived from how I was raised (childhood religion and the culture of my family/hometown) as well as different experiences with life. But it just feels like a part of me. And, oddly, a part of the world, if that even makes sense.

I wouldn't say I consciously compare situations to the principles in any systematic manner. Something will just either feel "right" or "wrong" usually. If it's a kind of tricky set of circumstances, I would, if possible, discuss with a trusted friend or family member beforehand.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

I suppose fairness and equality of opportunity, although I'm fully aware that not all people are created equal or develop equally.

I was raised not to judge people by their physical appearance or their personal beliefs but by how they treat others and the content/substance of their words, and for the most part, I like to think I've carried that into adulthood.

I've tried to reinforce that in my son, but beyond that I am very apprehensive about trying to instill any other values or beliefs in him, no matter how honorable or "right" they might seem.

 

[Noll]

Emotions and an inner knowledge of what's wrong or right, probably incorporated into our culture by christianity long ago and now it's a constant remnant no matter how non-religious I or others are. I use logic sometimes too ... mixed with feelings. Animals have the ability to feel pain, therefore they are equals etc.

 

[Ginkgo]

A vain attempt at integrity.

 

[FemMecha]

That I'm equal to other beings.

 

[Amargith]

An attempt at understanding, respect and benefit of the doubt for all living beings and their needs, and to lesser extent wants and desires.

 

[Cygnus]

Harming another is wrong, therefore we must harm no one.

To have absolute certainty we harm none, we most know all before we act.

We can't know every possibility, so when in doubt, take no action.

 

[cafe]

Christianity/the Bible, empathy and logic/utilitarianism.

 

[skylights]

Compassion... trying to take care of everyone and empower everyone to have a fulfilling life.

 

[Mole]

Mostly our ethics and morals are taken for granted because we are born into a particular civilization whether it is Indian, Chinese or Western.

A good tertiary education will let us step outside our taken for granted civilized ethics and morals, and see what they are, where they came from. We will be able to analyse our taken for granted morals and ethics, compare them with other moral and ethical systems, we will be able to evaluate them, and integrate them into our world view.

 

[Tellenbach]

Probably from watching Little House on the Prairie as a kid. It's a good thing Jersey Shore wasn't on TV back then. Oh, and my parents believed in corporal punishment; that probably had something to do with it. I should probably credit my awesome DNA because as far back as I can remember, I was a swell dude.

 

[Rasofy]

It's mostly cultural for everyone. People are less rational and deliberate than they like to assume.

 

[Eruca]

It's mostly cultural for everyone. People are less rational and deliberate than they like to assume.

Good point. I don't think people realize how much of our western morality is represented and/or based on thinkers such as John Stuart Mill; freedom, individualism, utilitarianism etc. As he's pretty much my idol I find plenty to have affinity with in western ethical thought. Apart from that we have the christian influence which i find...less fortunate.

 

[Habba]

Now that is a difficult question. I'd say that my ethics and morals come from a sentence like this: "A healthy society breeds healthy individuals".

In other words, I try to prioritize the needs of a society over the needs of an individual. I try to see myself and others just as a small piece of a greater machine.
I might also say that the end justifies the means, although one really needs to very certain of the outcome he or she is looking for.

 

[Cellmold]

Mostly our ethics and morals are taken for granted because we are born into a particular civilization whether it is Indian, Chinese or Western.

A good tertiary education will let us step outside our taken for granted civilized ethics and morals, and see what they are, where they came from. We will be able to analyse our taken for granted morals and ethics, compare them with other moral and ethical systems, we will be able to evaluate them, and integrate them into our world view.

It's mostly cultural for everyone. People are less rational and deliberate than they like to assume.

 

[Rasofy]

I smiled

 

[Cellmold]

I smiled

Its where my morals and ethics lie.