Who decides what's morally right?

[prof]

Recently a philosophically-minded student wrote this:
"Ethics are described as a system of moral principles.

What is a principle? In science principles are not arbitrarily chosen. They are a explanation of how something functions.

He is right...

In reality Ethics is the consequence of the events imposed on humans ,animals and the environment.
You can call it what you want but what it does is the true nature of what is ethical.

Thanks for clearing that up, Shark.

[prof]

When individuals, as a result of education, or by their own intuition, learn to go in the Intrinsic direction, to value Intrinsically, they devise better norms and systems, they become more effective, and they live with less conflict and more harmony. They pursue the goals of a healthy body and a healthy mind and an ethical life, a good life.
They know that money can't buy happiness ...yet it can help get over some of the sadness. Being efficacious helps too.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

My comment is.. 'well said'.
Through education ... i realized very young the worth of a life.

...the DoD feeds billions in. and resulting profitability is not an issue.
The curse of war.
...in2013 you would think we were smarter. but still it goes on.. ... U.S. in mideast can only result in more.

...We still have not given full shape to ethics and morality but we get closer day by day.
In your posts you...move us closer to gestalt
.... its called thinking.'
i will read your linked papers.

Nikos of sparta

Greetings, Nikos

Did you read those items for which links were offered, free of charge, in the original post? If so, did you learn anything? Speaking kindly, what were your main impressions?

We both agree that education is the answer to eventually achieving an ethical world.

What we need is a good teacher, a lecturer, available for all viewers of YouTube who teaches Ethics in a very understandable fashion.

What Joel Fuhrman does for Health is what this speaker would do for Ethics. Have any of you watched him in action on PBS ? PBS is the national Public Broadcasting System in the U.S.A. They aid him in marketing his books, DVDs and course materials; he provides them with solid content. For those who care about being healthy he gives them a true education. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_fuhrman

I would argue that Individual Morality includes awareness of health as a high value, for without it one can't even be much help to oneself let alone to others. This of course, like any other value, is a matter of degree.
Those seeking total health eventually arrive at this site: http://www.healthscience.org/
It works for me !

[Bill Wiltrack]

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The philosophy of being a vegetarian makes so much sense in order to have a healthy body and mind.




Ethically, I can't help but having the utmost respect for those who practice vegetarianism.



Being a vegetarian is about the most moral universal discipline that I can imagine.


My hat is off to everyone here who can maintain this conscientious philosophy.








* Nikola Tesla -became a vegetarian in his later years, living on only milk, bread, honey, and vegetable juices.


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[prof]

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The philosophy of being a vegetarian makes so much sense in order to have a healthy body and mind.




Ethically, I can't help but having the utmost respect for those who practice vegetarianism.



Being a vegetarian is about the most moral universal discipline that I can imagine.


My hat is off to everyone here who can maintain this conscientious philosophy..

I couldn't agree more.

The salad should be the most important part of a meal.

Fresh, raw, preferably organically-grown, fruits and vegetables look good, smell good when ripe and ready, they taste good; they are real food. After eating them for a few days straight the tongue loses its mucky coating and starts to taste the subtle salts and sugars, and one finds he likes it: he has acquired the taste for it. For breakfast, fruits in season, and raw unsalted nuts. Later on, a salad of assorted raw vegetables along with a steamed vegetable stew of another assortment from the long list of available veggies known to mankind makes for delicious meals.

"Food" may be defined as "something that looks good, smells good, and tastes good, from the word 'go', without anything being done to it." It is raw, and unrefined. It needs no dressing - but it is understandable if one wants to add some.

No special diets needed if one wants to lose weight.

From living right, health follows (as a rule ...there always are a few exceptions, of course.) Adequate rest, and exercise, are also health-giving factors. And it doesn't hurt to be surrounded by love either - if it can be arranged. A loving environment is definitely a health factor.

Health is part of a quality life.

And I wish you all A QUALITY LIFE

[Bill Wiltrack]

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Great post...thank you.




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[Hjarloprillar]

I do.

[sorry prof and others but i could not resist the true answer]

for me. i decide.
for my code does not effect others.
and thus the true code is .
i do

[prof]

I do. ...

Sure you do, Nikos, but do you know what you are doing??

Why do you believe your code does not affect others?

With regard to decision making -
Airlines train their pilots that in cases of emergency they are to consult others; it is best if they ask a co-pilot (or even a passenger) Are we headed in the right direction?

The best decision-makers do that. It is a trait of the best leaders. ...to consult before deciding....

So if you have carefully studied the Universal Theory of Ethics, all four parts, and if you know that the definition of Ethics recommends that we reverence every individual, and you are aware of the implications that follow from that, and you have formed the habit of kindness, then go ahead: your decisions will be those of a person of good character, devoted to the honest, authentic, ethical life, a life of personal integrity, and continuous moral development.

[Bill Wiltrack]

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I don't know if I have developed the habit of kindness yet but you have changed me Marvin or reminded me of something kinder inside of me.


I like the sound of - decisions will be those of a person of good character, devoted to the honest, authentic, ethical life, a life of personal integrity, and continuous moral development.


It just sounds right.



Thanks for opening up my eyes.


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[reasonvemotion]

Who decides what's morally right,
How to tell right from wrong,
What does universal ethics look like,
An analysis of the concept of honesty and so and so forth.
and
A new topic on food. The rights and wrongs.

I knew a man once, who owned a Health Food store. He ate only organic, was vegetarian, no smoking and no alcohol. He died of cancer, way before three score and ten.

In my opinion. There are too many rights and wrongs, self obsessed. This leads to a joyless existence and you cannot cheat your own demise. Funny that, we all think we will live forever.

I believe Buddha says it best....

The Middle Way is a life lived between the extremes of self-denial and self-indulgence.
Neither hedonist nor ascetic are to be imitated, for the Noble Eightfold Path weaves its way through life avoiding both these unenlightened lifestyles.

I decide what is morally right for me.

[prof]

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I like the sound of - decisions will be those of a person of good character, devoted to the honest, authentic, ethical life, a life of personal integrity, and continuous moral development.


It just sounds right.

Thanks for opening up my eyes.


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Greetings, Bill

Glad you liked it ! Thank you for the expression of appreciation and approval.



In re what reasonvemotion said: I did not argue for "rights and wrongs." The Unified Theory of Ethics barely mentions those words, if at all. I did hint there is a way of avoiding most aches and pains, and cited a website that provides the evidence for it - "for those seeking total health" is how it was worded.

The entire case is based on an IF: If one wants to maximize the value in his/her life, this might be the way to go. It is not dogmatic about any "rights" or "wrongs." I don't know where some people get this stuff? The topic of this thread is NOT food. In an earlier post here, this is what I said about deciding the best ethical path: "I claim a science will offer some (impersonal) direction." I presented some facts about human beings all over the world. These facts serve as data for a science of Ethics to consider.

Ultimately, of course, everyone decides for himself what is morally right; but we could benefit from some direction. If we want to take the best path from one city to another we may find it helpful to use GPS. This is a product of technology. A science of Ethics will produce its technologies as well. Why not take advantage of them?