Philosophy Now Forum

If one wants to present the case for Ethics to the average person, maybe the content here in this post may help supply one with material to do an adequate job. In a sense, it continues to make the case begun in earlier threads. Some of the principles listed later come from the Unified Theory of Ethics, and some come from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. I would appreciate your impressions as to how this can be improved - and still remain secular and persuasive:


If one is ethical one will NOT cheat: one will not enter into gain/loss relationships where one party gains at the expense of another by dishonesty because it results in hurting someone. Cheating does harm (to the cheated.) If you cheat someone you are diminishing value. You thereby dishonor yourself. Robbery, for example, subtracts value. In contrast, love adds value.

Now you might ask: Why not harm? Because a human life has value, that's why. Every individual is unique because each person has a distinct set of features or qualities. ...and when you Intrinsically-value an individual, that is, when you care, you show concern, the more you look the more you will find.

{As you know, the more qualities someone or something is perceived to have, the more meaningful it is; and to be meaningful is to have value. }

Furthermore, research has shown that there is a universal belief that slavery is immoral. Would reasonable people claim that at one time it was right for us to hold slaves, but that now it is not? No. Rather we would reason that then, when we enslaved human beings, we didn’t know any better. We were ignorant, or we lacked the capacity to Intrinsically-value, or to show empathy.

I would hypothesize that i n every instance of moral disagreement it is a case of some of the involved parties not knowing any better. This claim is based upon the reasonable belief that that there is an objective moral system , one that is within the ability of intelligent people to grasp.

Research has further shown that people honor and respect fair-dealing all over the world. They don’t want to be cheated. Fairness is regarded as a high value, although there are some difficult cases, in practice, in arriving at what is the fairest settlement. Still people admire a negotiation that results n a win/win, in a mutually beneficial outcome. Being fair is one more way to add value. {As to why it is important to add value, see pp. 28-29 of M. C. Katz - A Unified Theory of Ethics - http://tinyurl.com/crz6xea } And, if you are of good character another way to add value is to mentor some younger person.

Morality is objective in one crucial sense: our brain is wired for moral decision-making. It has enabled us, so far, to survive as a species. Very ancient Chinese traditions and teachings emphasize harmony and order; that too has helped us to survive. And if we are to continue surviving, any field of study which when applied, aims us in the direction of a more harmonious world is very, very useful to us. Ethics does that. Once it is more-thoroughly researched, and the findings are widely publicized and popularized; once its results are the story lines for children’s books, comic books, for movies and TV,, we are likely to flourish and enjoy life even more than we do now.

If we can agree that a conscious human life has value -- [and that happens to be the case by the very definition of Ethics, as explained in some detail in the monograph, BASIC ETHICS - http://www.myqol.com/wadeharvey/PDFs/BASIC%20ETHICS.pdf] – then science can indicate which are the policies that minimize suffering and maximize value for the enhancement of life.

We can turn to science to learn best practices to help conscious individuals thrive - not merely survive. Many individuals, all over the planet, have come to a realization that they want more than bare survival.

As explained earlier - in the o.p. of the thread entitled "The Case for Ethics - best presentation yet" viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13302 - once you know your Ethics, you are more likely to embrace the values: caring. sharing, and cooperating. You will value fair dealing, reciprocity, mutual gain.

We need to be able to trust others not to hurt us, and they need to trust us; it's the only sane way to live. That's another reason why we need ethics. By definition, what is ethical is what leads to the affirmation of human rights, individual freedom and justice.

[To be continued.]

Let us define “obligation” in context, as follows: Human beings have an obligation to follow moral laws. Laws are moral when they comply with ethical principles. Here are some ethical principles :

• Principle of Consistency: Do not have double standards, one for yourself, and others for other people.
• Principle of Inclusivity: Include as many as possible into your in-group – widen your moral compass – be inclusive.
• Principle of benevolence: help those in need.
• Principle of Non-harming: do not harm others.
• Principle of honesty: do not deceive others.
• Principle of lawfulness: do not violate the law.
• Principle of autonomy: acknowledge a person’s freedom over his/her actions or physical body.
• Principle of justice: acknowledge a person’s right to due process, fair compensation for harm done, and fair distribution of benefits.
• Rights: acknowledge a person’s rights to life, information, privacy, free expression, and safety. Etc.

With regard to the Principle of lawfulness this upgrade needs to be added: Do not violate the law unless it is an unjust law, a law that can be shown to violate one or more principles of Ethics. The Moral Law is to be the foundation of statute law …and will be, once legislators understand their ethics.

The Principle of Justice within Individual Ethics directs individuals to lead a balanced life; within Social Ethics it directs folks to uphold social justice and to elect for public office only those who will work for social justice and for the common good.

The Principle of Honesty allows for some rare exceptions: one may deceive to save a life, or if one is a magician, an illusionist doing it for purposes of entertainment, or bluffing in a game such as poker is morally permissible.

It is important to keep in mind that Ethics is about maximizing value for one and all. So let's figure out how, at every opportunity, to create value, how to be constructive, how to upgrade, improve, build on, uplift, boost individuals and groups of individuals. When we get our priorities straight we will aim for social justice, happiness, practical wisdom, a quality life, a state of optimum well-being. So if you form the habit of creating positive value, you then will want to avoid personal corruption and you will choose long-term well-being over short-term temptation. You'll see things from an Ethical perspective.

Let everyone enjoy their own values as long as they avoid oppressing anyone else. Projects are are values, so let everyone devise and pursue their own projects as long as this does not in any way result in the oppression of others, thus interfering with the pursuit of their own projects.

For further details, see: http://wadeharvey.myqol.com/wadeharvey/ ... ONS%20.pdf


Do you have some concepts to add? Your questions and comments are welcome ! How would you sum up ethics? What does it mean to you? Do you believe the case for a sound ethical theory is adequately presented in the argument stated above? Let's hear your views.

Freedom Of Speech : The freedom to verbalise thought should be sacrosanct and the only restrictions should be those imposed
by ones conscience. One could be prosecuted for the consequences of freedom of speech but not for freedom of speech it self

And avoid as much as possible tribalism because it is that which divides human beings. It is not absolutely possible as we all identify with others in some discriminatory way be it race or gender or class or nationality because we find comfort in familiarity and so there is nothing wrong with that Though if the demographic be defined too specifically it may lead to prejudice and discriminations towards those out side it. Such as for example misogyny or racism or homophobia. So try to remember that we are all human beings first and foremost because that one universal puts us all on
an equal footing. And an extension of that would be to think of us as a whole connected in some basic way rather than as just simply individuals

Thank you, surreptitious57, for those good points.

I agree with both of them. Some of my earlier posts emphasized the importance of freedom of conscience, defining it as being of highest value. It includes Freedom of Speech.

And in my five-part series, A Unified Theory of Ethics, I stress your second point: avoid tribalism. I often state it in a positive way; it is the Inclusivity Principle - also mentioned in the original post above. It suggests to us that we widen our ethical circle, extend our radius, sweep in more of our species as those toward whom we will be friendly.

Thanks again for a fine contribution, reminding us of vital aspects of ethics. !!


Comments, anyone? What do you believe are the essentials of Ethics?