Morals and Ethics.

[Yayo]

Is it wrong to allow our ethics to be shaped by our morals? Should we listen to external influences? Should we follow the suit of a certain group within society or establish our own views?

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Yayo

Should we listen to external influences?

Since you've made the statement now, do you have a choice?

[Human No More]

A code of individual rights works well. Individuals have the right to their own life as long as it does not harm or interfere with others. At their core, most people follow this, with the latter being broken primarily when others do as well.

[Clarke]

Originally Posted by Human No More

A code of individual rights works well. Individuals have the right to their own life as long as it does not harm or interfere with others. At their core, most people follow this, with the latter being broken primarily when others do as well.

What about other rights? Do people have a right to an education, for instance?

[iron_jones]

Originally Posted by Clarke

What about other rights? Do people have a right to an education, for instance?

>.>
<.<

yeah.

[Human No More]

Originally Posted by Clarke

What about other rights? Do people have a right to an education, for instance?

A right to make your own decisions includes a right to basic needs such as an education, as well as the right to seek more if someone wants, or not if thy don't.

[Banefull]

Originally Posted by Human No More

A code of individual rights works well. Individuals have the right to their own life as long as it does not harm or interfere with others. At their core, most people follow this, with the latter being broken primarily when others do as well.

Don't you think that system has some consistency problems?

My apologies in advance if I'm interfering with your life.

[Tsyal Makto]

Ethics and morals seem inseparable, IMO. Ethics are our morals in action, and IMO it is always people's duty to form their own code of ethics, according to their morals. People should be open to outside influence (we all live in this world together, afterall, we should learn from each other), but they should not blindly follow the views of the status quo. Independent thoughtfulness is the key (as well as the courage to defend ones beliefs when need be).

[Pa'li Makto]

I think there is a thing called group ethics. Now this would be shaped of course by culture and outside influences but at its core group ethics has been around ever since we formed tribes and we had certain rules to follow when interacting with elderly, children, women ect. We evolved group ethics when we had to look out for not only ourselves but our families and kin.
Individual ethics and morals will only get you so far.

[Advent]

The thing that I find most frustrating is that it's not hard to embrace such morals and ideals, and yet many somehow prefer to remain as selfish irritants.

[Mune]

In their eyes, they are not selfish irritants. They are simply people with a different state of mind.

Some won't adopt morals easily, and prefer to take the long way around. For example, George Carlin refused follow law, or listen to rules simply because he hated authority. It wasn't until later in life he realised that there's no point swimming against the tide unless you've got a justified reason to do so.

I'm very much the same... I started off with a large dislike towards authority. I don't like being told what I can and can't do, and... You could in fact say that I'm still in that state of mind. I do not celebrate something simply because I'm told to. I do not shed a tear every time I hear about the military. I do not help children in Africa. These aren't selfish purposely, they are justified with reason, but may appear selfish.. At the same time, what is 'morals'. Is *respect for life* a moral?

I don't believe live objects deserve any less attention than inanimate objects do. I don't believe life is sacred, et cetera.

Before you can claim that ethics and morals have any link, they must be defined.

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Mune

In their eyes, they are not selfish irritants. They are simply people with a different state of mind.

True, but it can't be that hard to think of the good of others before acting. I suppose it also (as stated) is a matter of perception as to what 'good' morals are.