HOW TO AVOID CORRUPTION : Why good people do bad things
Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:43 am
The latest research in the science of Moral Psychology reveals some interesting findings. We have to keep telling ourselves: “You know, friend, the first little transgression could lead to more; for it will become a habit, then a compulsion. Then it very well could become a massive ethical error. So don’t even start on the first little step to personal corruption. Instead, I shall keep asking: How can I give? How can I be of service? How can I avoid debt? How am I able to pay off any debt I may have incurred? How can I continue to see the big picture, the implications my action may have? In short, how can I maximize the net value in my world?”
When adding value is constantly at the front of our minds we are less likely to lie or to cheat. That is a fact! (The "net value" is the value for the most people, considering the most factors I can think of....)
You are less likely to get corrupted because you will be asking of any decision you make: Is this fair? Will people be hurt? Etc. You will be unlikely to be asking: What will I gain? How will this affect my future? When your sole cognitive frame-of-mind is to make the best business decision (by today’s standards), you are likely to be blind to the ethical reverberations, and how it may eventually ruin your own life by corrupting you. [You may be saying to yourself: “O, it will never happen to me!!!” However, it can easily happen to any good person, if they are not aware …until the practice of adding value becomes a habit.]
Be aware that one lie – or one minor theft - leads to another lie – or a second petty swiping of someone’s property. One thing leads to another …this can’t be denied. That’s where awareness comes in handy. And so does knowledge – a knowledge of human psychology.
Now you know how corruption can be avoided. Teach it to your children. Teach it to any student willing to learn about human nature. Continue to appreciate the value of the Ethical life.
Here is the references to the scientific sources for the original post:
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/01/151764534 ... bad-things If you are interested, Google the researchers names that are mentioned to find out their credentials and where they published the abstracts.
Also, I refer all to the book, ANSWERING THE CENTRAL QUESTION by P. Demerest & H. Schoof. It combines Neurology of the Brain studies with formal Value Science to conclude that human beings are value-generating creatures, who can choose to recognize the value in others and to upgrade, neither over-valuing nor under-valuing themselves and the world. Profoundly interesting and clearly explained, and the new paradigm - which they have entitled axio-genics - is applied widely to many facets of life, for the reader to judge its worthiness.
I integrated cognitive psychology and axiogenics in the above post.
Thank you, in advance, for your constructive comments.
When adding value is constantly at the front of our minds we are less likely to lie or to cheat. That is a fact! (The "net value" is the value for the most people, considering the most factors I can think of....)
You are less likely to get corrupted because you will be asking of any decision you make: Is this fair? Will people be hurt? Etc. You will be unlikely to be asking: What will I gain? How will this affect my future? When your sole cognitive frame-of-mind is to make the best business decision (by today’s standards), you are likely to be blind to the ethical reverberations, and how it may eventually ruin your own life by corrupting you. [You may be saying to yourself: “O, it will never happen to me!!!” However, it can easily happen to any good person, if they are not aware …until the practice of adding value becomes a habit.]
Be aware that one lie – or one minor theft - leads to another lie – or a second petty swiping of someone’s property. One thing leads to another …this can’t be denied. That’s where awareness comes in handy. And so does knowledge – a knowledge of human psychology.
Now you know how corruption can be avoided. Teach it to your children. Teach it to any student willing to learn about human nature. Continue to appreciate the value of the Ethical life.
Here is the references to the scientific sources for the original post:
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/01/151764534 ... bad-things If you are interested, Google the researchers names that are mentioned to find out their credentials and where they published the abstracts.
Also, I refer all to the book, ANSWERING THE CENTRAL QUESTION by P. Demerest & H. Schoof. It combines Neurology of the Brain studies with formal Value Science to conclude that human beings are value-generating creatures, who can choose to recognize the value in others and to upgrade, neither over-valuing nor under-valuing themselves and the world. Profoundly interesting and clearly explained, and the new paradigm - which they have entitled axio-genics - is applied widely to many facets of life, for the reader to judge its worthiness.
I integrated cognitive psychology and axiogenics in the above post.
Thank you, in advance, for your constructive comments.
What the world needs now is education in Ethics. And, I am happy to report, Ethics is catching on 
. I have amassed many files of evidence to confirm this. Still, it will take more time until the enlightened awareness reaches a tipping point.