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Readers:
My question for you is: What did I miss (in my effort to sum up the basics of ethics)?
Is there something essential, or highly relevant, that you feel I omitted?
And can you provide me with some pressing moral dilemma - to which I will apply the new paradigm in order to resolve that dilemma …or at least show how it may be resolved. If you have more than one to present that would be fine also.
Thank you in advance for contributing!
ON MORAL COURAGE
See the video at this site: moralcourage.com/founder/
Check out the summary of the topic at this site: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_courage
and also make note of these sites:
moralcourage.us/ht/d/sp/i/180/pid/180
and here - moralcourage.us/ht/d/sp/i/180/pid/180
as well aas: -
udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/hr … /index.php
What’s your take on this important concept of “Moral courage.”
Your views on this are relevant and appreciated………
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Darnell Frasier, 17-years old, offers a contemporary example of Moral Courage. She was threatened with having Mace sprayed into her face if she did not cease filming the torture and brutal murder of 32-year-old George Floyd.
She continued to film, with her smart phone, the video of the nearly 10-minute incident, and then she posted it fearlessly on her Facebook page, where all the world could witness the horror. It went viral. It became the chief evidence in a trial of Officer Derek Chauvin. The rest, as they say, is history.
cnn.com/us/live-news/derek- … index.html
Historians will note that today, April 20, 2021, was a turning-point in U.S. justice, and police-reform policies …although this remains to be seen and will depend upon your activism for bringing us closer to an Ethical world …one that cares about the sne sanctity of human life [one that Intrinsically-values individuals who have individuality.]
When people say “Black lives matter” they are not excluding the broader point that 'all lives matter.
What say you?
{If you have the inquiring mind of a philosopher [a lover of wisdom], you may want to know what is meant by “Ethical” in the phrase “an Ethical world,” or what is meant by “Intrinsic” valuation. For more details, see the safe-to-open selections in the References below.
I would like to know what you think with regard to this proposed legislation designed to stop one form of cheating? It proposes to close some tax loopholes that enable large corporations to avoid paying any taxes at all; it will not raise any individual’s taxes but would raise, over 10 year, an enormous amount of revenue for the United States.
What is your evaluation of this measure? Could you, as a constructive activity, ever lobby for this law by urging your I.S. Senator to co-sponsor it?
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I think most morals and ethics boils down to kindness.
Kindness means we give our excess do the needy,
and refrain from attacking those who we see as different.
Giving our excess requires we work efficiently and make a surplus.
Holding back attacks requires self control and self awareness.
Ethics began with the realization that there are things and beings other than the Self. It happens to every newborn.
Evolution shows altruism is a survival mechanism.
Ethics expands when one is able to see the Other as worthy of the Good regardless of Self, clan, society, country-
The Good is addressed human needs such as clothing, food, water, housing., etc.
I agree! Isn’t that above proposition another way of stating what the proposed system of Ethics – the new paradigm – speaks of as “the definition of 'Ethics.'”
It says, as you noted when you examined The Structure of Ethics document (pp. 29-21) that when we Intrinsicially-value another individual, or group of them, we are in the field of Ethics.
I also agree that in a normal individual’s [human] development, the baby reaches a point where he/she realizes: “there are beings out there that are distinct from me. They seem not to be part of me, myself.”
Thanks for the Evolutionary perspective… As you may have noticed, I touched on this myself when I wrote on the evolution of the concept of cooperation.
BYW, you use a term that was not in the Ethical theory offered here, namely “altruism.” What is your definition of that word? How does it differ from what is presented as among ‘the facts of Ethics’ in the Structure document (See p. 11.)
Thank you, once again, for contributing.
Ive tried your methods, but they have led to pain.
Too much to go into it, but one thing that is crucially wrong is to hold yourself to the same standards as others - because this means you hold others by the same standards as yourself, which means, if youve got integrity, that you make demands on them that are not yours to make.
Simple ethics: examine your values by exposing them to each other in life and bring them into accord with each other; work to eliminate contradictions in your valuing. Become monadic, so you can be a pillar to a merciful culture.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism
This is a much more thorough examination of the meanings of altruism than I could offer in a simple summary such as “unselfish giving”. It contains scientific, psychological and religious interpretations.
I think it would be difficult to make a distinction between what it is like to be ethical and what it is like to be moral. In any event ethics, morality and decency are human labels for actions done by humans or animals.
In our time biodiversity in an ecosystem must act in ways that the good affects Self and Other, since we are interconnected physically and mentally. I like the term “plenitude”-a whole comprised of a variety of interconnected parts. Unless we see ourselves in such a way, we will destroy our planet. Even now the disconnect between isolated individuals threatens our very existence. Moral or ethical behavior depends on willful harmony on the part of humans.
In a nutshell–we must unite in care for our planet, our only universal home. Ethics depends on survival.
Would you be so kind as to go into it with a few specifics now. Please enlighten us as to how “my methods” led to pain. Which of the suggested tentative standards to live by what you refer to as my “methods” was the specific cause of the pain?? And please tell us what the specific pain was?
I agree completely that a moral person ought to avoid moralism. In my writings, to which one may refer by clicking on the safe-to-open documents in the References listed below, I counsel: Don’t be a moralist! Do not be morally-judgmental. I believe that is what you were getting at, Fixed, in that paragraph quoted. Then you recommend what the theory, the new paradigm for Ethics, speaks of as The Consistency Principle. Again, I thoroughly agree!
Simple ethics: examine your values by exposing them to each other in life and bring them into accord with each other; work to eliminate contradictions in your valuing. … Be a pillar to a merciful culture.
[/quote]
Let’s all work to achieve a merciful culture.
Thank you for your contribution, Fixed Cross. Please respond …
Since a respondent brought up the concept of what he spoke of as “my methods,” it would be appropriate here to summarize some of the major points expressed in the Structure book - the first pdf reference listed below - and in other writings on the topic of the new approach to Ethical Theory, and the applications which follow logically from the theory.
Ethics, as viewed in the new paradigm I offer [inspired by – and based upon – the breakthrough pioneering work done by the profound, original thinking of a philosopher named Robert S. Hartman to whom ample credit must be given] is spun from an axiom, along with a couple of key definitions.
The axiom (or generative idea) is: Make things better!
One of the key definitions is the definition of “Ethics” itself. The other is the definition of “Morality.” The latter is synonymous with “moral value.” This assumes a prior understanding of the concepts “value” and "good. Therefore both of these ideas are explicated in the papers and books by yours truly.
PART I
Avoiding technicalities here, since we are merely explaining Ethics in a nutshell, it will suffice to say that the meaning of “Ethics” is conveyed by the imperative, the first principle: To the extent you possibly can, honor and respect each individual.
Then, what follows from this: Engage readily in caring and sharing, doing acts of kindness, and being of service. If you understand the structure of ethics and the benefits that ensue, both from trying to create value in every situation, and from cooperating on worthwhile project and endeavors, you will devote yourself to being authentic and to genuinely caring.
You will be aware that ‘we’re all in this together,’ since we are all just trying to make a life (having some quality.) The notion of a Quality Life is well-defined in the Structure manuscript {also available on Kindle}; such a life entails enjoying the simple pleasures, bonding with friends, strengthening support networks, having a deep sense of well-being suport networks, having a deep sense of health and well-being, exercising the mind, etc. For details see the literature reference below.
What really helps you helps me, and vice versa, since we are all in this together. Thus, as Ierrillus informs us in an earlier post, if the habitat for the human species is ruined …if our planet is desecrated, defiled, and polluted, we may not survive. Even if we do survive, life could be intolerable: a very-low quality of life.
Ethics teaches that we are to live with efficiency (a Systemic value), and with practicality, savior faire, excellence of performance [what Aristotle called “Eudemonia,” (which is Extrinsic value); but most importantly of all with expressing Intrinsic Value to individuals and to groups.
Respect yourself and others. Be courteous; avoid rudeness. Be a good listener.
Aim to be a good person, one of good character. Be real! Don’t be a phony. Don’t ‘put people on’ or run them down. Do not disparage them, nor exploit them. Such a person of good charcter is ‘turned off’ by injustice - cops being judge, jury and executioner, senators passing laws and then exempting themselves from having to live up to those laws, people who are well-off evading taxes and buying legislators with donations that have conditions attached, etc., etc… Ethical individuals are ‘turned off’ by dishonesty, by bait-and-switch, and other forms of cheating. They strive to be true to themselves. Thus they work for mutually-beneficial relationships.
…to be continued. - All comments most welcomed…
PART II
In every situation those who know their Ethics choose to create the greatest value, and to provide each person they encounter the full opportunity to express their creativity. They want this for society also. Hence they want to empower people from the bottom up: they want a strong safety-net, they want to get rid of extreme poverty to the extent possible. They realize that money will not ‘trickle down’ from those who are quite well-off financially but who may have an attitude primarily of: “What’s in it for me!?” … or from the affluent who are the greedy ones, the psychopaths, the predators.
Look to creative design to solve problems.
Set a good example for others, be a role-model of Ethics.
This was a feeble attempt to sum up a vast field of research and practice. In earlier threads and posts I touched on ethical topics such as: how to make wise moral decisions; and how to avoid personal corruption; how an ethical world will come about through ethical technologies; and I discussed many other relevant issues. Also, it was pointed out that Ethics, the discipline, has an experimental branch known as Moral Psychology. In that sense, Ethics is already a science.
Your views? What say you?
To be fair most of your points are decent though vague. How does one establish a value standard? How does one find it? That is, I believe, the true mission of ethics.
Most people have absolutely no clue. So for them such advice is hollow; they need to go through the process of discovering themselves before they can be aware of any standards.
I have become very wary of optimistic moral advice, as the human world is infinitely wretched, something to be overcome. Further, I dont think that one should be adding moral principles all the time but rather to reduce them to a few greater principles of value.
I think there are certain things missing from your list, namely things concerning problems with the human species. The problems you will encounter in life are not largely your own making. That is a solipsistic myth. People are generally exceedingly stupid savages and being kind and respectful to them is like being respectful to cockroaches, its not wise and they have no idea what respect is or how to reward it.
Well actually I mean that Ive found only a very small number of people in my life who would even consider holding standards so high as my own - and I always forgave them for their shortcomings, but this has harmed me. I have improved my quality of life by looking down on people with lower standards - and I have given up trying to exalt them - I accept them for what they are but that doesn’t mean I respect them.
I do respect, always, people at the outset. But I no longer pretend that things which are happening aren’t happening, or that they dont matter. Everything matters.
I hope I have added some value here.
Along with Mercy,
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdnMEShz5N0[/youtube]
we should add Severity.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUTaALDSezY[/youtube]
Thanks once again,Fixed Cross, for your contribution to the discussion. You did indeed add value.
I responded to some of your points, but in the process, opined that an ex-president is a would-be dictator. The entire post was deleted. I should have saved a draft, but failed to do so. I guess my responses to your points are lost forever.
Here are some examples of sub-categories of our species who are not admirable. They are miserable human beings. Earlier I alluded to them, to the predators, the sadists, the violent psychopaths, the bigots, the exploiters, the madmen, the Nazis, and those afflicted with the malady of greed.
Also included are the cult-leaders, the dictators, those who worship and strive for only money, power, and influence.
These are members of the human species who most good people find it difficult to respect and honor. Yet they are fellow-sufferers. They will get feelings of mercy, and the hope for redemption or healing, from those of good character who really know their ethics
I know this view just expressed is controversial amongst those who otherwise are people of good will.
Fixed Cross told us where he stands with regard to stupid, ignorant, morally-insensitive folks. He is unable to respect them. He has given up hope for them.
Where do you stand in this regard? Can you bring yourself to feel mercy and compassion for those – mentioned in the first paragraph above - miserable examples of our species?
And remember: Harmony works, just as Gravity works. Harmony helps human
relations advance. It makes things better. It is to Ethics what gravity is to Physics.
Let’s hear your considered opinions on any of these topics.
Aristotle had a word for ‘excellence of performance.’ Can anyone here tell us what that word is?
Combine that concept with the emphasis on Individuality and Autonomy that we note in the New Paradigm for Ethics – recall the final section of BASIC ETHICS – and those ideas suggest a new Principle to live by: namely,
I was born to stand out; not to blend in 
The justification for it: …
Conformity is only Systemic value. Individualism is merely Extrinsic value. However Individuality and Autonomy are Intrinsic values. [See that chart in Footnote 4 of Marvin C. Katz, A Unified Theory of Ethics booklet for other findings of this sort.]
That formula derived in BASIC ETHICS [see link below]: I > E > S. That formula orders the dimensions of value according to their size, as you will recall if you followed the logical argument which you found there. Intrinsic Value is infinitely-better (as value) .than Extrinsic Value, which in turn is far, far better than S-Value, as you learned in the early pages of BASIC ETHICS.
Tell me, what do you think of the new moral principle offered as the third paragraph above? I believe it applies to me. Could you, or would you, adopt it as a personal standard and then live by it?
Citation: I first heard it from Joshua Johnson. So I give him the credit for it.
I often ask people here where they stand on a specific topic that I bring up in the course of writing a post, and they don’t respond with any reply. I don’t understand why.
That recent thread I posted, Four More Moral Principles – it turned out to be five more – really belongs here, as an extension of this thread, ETHICS IN A NUTSHELL, in which some earlier Moral Principles were offered.
So insert it here.
Have you come upon some other Principle to live by recently that you would care to share with us?
Since no one responded – and please tell us why? – I shall herewith offer some moral principles for you to consider adopting:
The first I obtained from one of the three well-known philosophical talking monkeys…
SPEAK NO EVIL !
The nest one, you may already know:
We each do better if we ALL do better !!
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room on Earth.”
----Mohammad Ali
…Hope you find this thread interesting. If not, inform us why not??