For all of the discussion concerning ethics and morals we must ask: what’s the practical side of all of this?
In general ethics and morals are the basis of everything we do daily. From making change honestly as a supermarket clerk to matters of life and death on a far-off battlefield; people’s ethics and moral ideals are structured by the life coach in the early stages of the actors’ lives.
The business world was thrown into upheaval by the morally deficient teachings of theorists accepting the idea that what wins is what matters. The elements of thought necessary to balance one point of ethical shading against another have been left out in favor of the logic that “all profit is good no matter the manner acquired”. Where there is a moral dilemma, the theory allowing for the acquisition of goods or money takes precedence over the safety and betterment of individuals and society.
Economies suffer and fail leaving financial misery. That leads to a tsunami of alternate failures in the wake of the collapse. Recession and depression result. Monetary values waver and slide without directional controls. Nations suffer political/social upheaval and governments could fall. All of this because of a stunted understanding of ethics and propriety in the way people, and businesses, are viewed and treated.
Cultures practicing a strict and rigid format of religious/moral behavior are less yielding and acceptant of outside influences on those cultures. The practitioners of these theologies may become entrenched in doctrine and reject outside efforts to change or sway the teachings. We see this in the rejection of other religions, and possibly individual sects of the same religion, by fundamentalist groups. Extreme dogma in application can lead to a deviant strain of morality altogether.
The problem? The chances for negotiation on life or death matters can be greatly diminished. The moral dilemmas are difficult to overcome. Intransigence halts forward movement.
In politics, more and more, we see the end justifying the means. Draconian procedures are being used more and more often to accomplish the goals of particular political parties and ideologies. The political and social paths of nations are being upset daily by ideologues believing themselves above and beyond the laws of nations. The peace and security of nations hangs in the balance when judging the moral stance, fiber and construct of a world leader such as a Prime Minister, a Premier or a President.
Instead of recognizing the feelings, emotions and needs of the individual; it’s possible to dehumanize people and see them as a herd rather than a cohesive but diverse community. Similarity of thought, philosophy and doctrine aren’t seen as being shaded by the experience of the individuals involved; they’re forced to become faceless in the mob and thus without value in their individuality. They are stripped of their belief systems as they’re instructed to accept the “party line” and “take what’s given them and be happy with it”. Excellence of thought is not acceptable if it is antithetical to the dogma and ideology of the incumbent party.
Rather than having a free nation, people become slaves of the government machine taking care of all of their needs while killing their individual drive for excellence and striving to be better as individuals. The state becomes the womb and individual ascension in society runs the risk of death-in-utero. Ambition is still-born based on the communalism advertised as progressive yet going awry by the abusive, self-centered, narcissistic designs of men in positions of influence.
Politically, principles not possessed or mutated by people lacking a coherent moral and ethical structure, are like a mutant strain of DNA carrying on beyond the present family into a reproductive dysfunction. Immorality breeds immorality. Lies beget lies. Ethical deformity is passed on generationally. A nation becomes diseased, falters and dies. Don’t believe it? Check the course of nations once noted as Communist/ Socialist or Marxist in political influence. “Progressivism” is a synonymous term. In their worldview and in this sense all are equal, none display excellence or advancement beyond the accepted norm.
A positive understanding of ethics and morals is the responsibility of family; not politicians or the state.
Thanks for listening
