- NEW!
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on November 21st, 2009
If your actions hurt other people, it's wrong.
by TAPriceCTR s son is wearing his COAT on November 21st, 2009
ethics are morals which society has agreed are universal. militant slavery has been deemed unethical... however economic slavery is deemed perfectly fine and to say otherwise "is communist and antiamerican"
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
In an abstract way there is. But it's decided
upon by groups of people.
.
It's decided based on shared interest, willingness
to form symbiosis, conformism, charisma, trust,
manipulation, intimidation, threats, compassion,
empathy, etc.
.
There is no one truly right or wrong thing.
It's all relative, based on interest and emotion.
Pain and pleasure. Fear and security.
.
If there ever was such a thing as a list of
things "truly right and wrong", where would
that list be? And where did it come from?
Well, You may answer God, if You want.
From my perspective it comes from people
who try to make up reasons for these rules
to be divine, whether they are useful
to everyone or only to an elite group.
.
These rules are created to uphold the values
some people deem important and for reaching
goals that these people strive for.
You might share these values and goals or not.
But, if You come against these values and goals,
You might be excluded from the group. Whether
You care or not about the participation in that
group is Your thing. In rare cases these groups
might react with sanctions, imprisonment or
even violence, if You prevent them from upholding
their values and slow down their progress to
reaching their goals.
by Baby Blue on November 21st, 2009
I think there is, but there are 7 billion people on this earth, and their idea of ethics is bound to be different than the next person. I think that if you are a decent person and do what you feel is right inside, that is the best kind of ethics.
by Moongrim on November 22nd, 2009
Yes.
Individually.
Me? I decide upon the actions of others, and me. If I do something to them what they do to others and they complain about me, then I know it's wrong.
Damned Republicans.
by SanityClause on November 22nd, 2009
The goalpost keeps moving. Things deemed ethical 250 years ago are not so today and vice-versa.
by buttman on November 21st, 2009
Yes, there is such a thing as "ethics". But the word
"ethics" itself is very broad thus hard to pin down.
Some people equate ethics with their "feelings"; while
others believe that being ethical means exclusively to
follow the law in society. But "feelings"--same as the
law--so often deviate from what is ethical.
"Ethics" can be thought of as a well based standards of
right and wrong--a set of principles governing individuals's conduct in society because they are supported by consistent and well founded reasons. Some
people have contended profusely that "there's no right
or wrong", but ask those individuals what would they do if their wives or daughter get raped, or how
would they feel if one day they come home and find that
everything they have worked so hard for have been stolen. So as you can see, yes there is right and wrong
and it should not be that difficult to decide which is what.
by jewgold on November 21st, 2009
Unfortunately, ethics are relative to what every individual person believes correct ethics are. Religeon has shaped a large number of people's ethics. Hitler's ethics are concidered taboo around most of the world and yet some people still name their kids after him. Societies have been built on ethics. Ethics are good because they give people stability and a sence of safety (rules people can trust and following).
by Jettic Wolf on November 21st, 2009
I think there is some commonality. Think of yourself about what is right and wrong. But sometimes there are accidents or things that get of the way of right and wrong- maybe even situations where the wrong way is convenient. So to answer your question id say yes, there is a right and wrong somewhere out there.
by Anon on November 21st, 2009
Oh, dear...
This will take a very long time to discuss...
by Sympho de Proggy on November 27th, 2009
ethics are an informal social contract, and as such they vary from society to society.
.
if you mean to find what's "right" and "wrong" in the absolute, philosophical sense, i think you'll end up empty handed.
.
right and wrong are merely categories within the ethics code, listing what one should or should not do.
as such they are no more permanent or absolute than a given society's moral code.
What do you view as absolutely senseless? Why?
by AnonymousGirl 22 hours ago
| 1 person likes this
How articulate are you?
by AnonymousGirl on February 13th, 2012
| 4 people like this
Anyone can sail on calm seas. What do you do in a storm?
by specialorder on February 13th, 2012
| 2 people like this
How is it that I can care so much about people I have never even met?
by IknowSOMEstuff on February 13th, 2012
| 1 person likes this
How much would you pay for eternal life?(Don't gurantee eternal hapiness)
by LoverOfSophia 21 hours ago
| 4 people like this
You're reading Is there such a thing as ethics? If so, how is it decided? How do we decide what is truly right and wrong?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
+6 :-)
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 21st, 2009
good answer
by Baby Blue on November 21st, 2009
TY and TY
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on November 21st, 2009
So if You hurt a murderer that is about
to stab Your family member with a knife,
it's wrong, because it hurts the murderer.
.
You didn't think it through much.
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
say what? @ anonymous? There is grey all over the place. You asked about ethics, that is a very broad spectrum. You are damn right I would hurt a murderer if they went after my family, shit, I'd pull out the rifle to protect my husband and children.
by Baby Blue on November 21st, 2009
Good answer Sharona.
by Pumpkin Etoile on November 21st, 2009
Thanks for answering, +3
For the record, I was the one that asked the question.
But I would have to agree with Anon. on this. The answer he gave was it's wrong if you hurt someone. Anon. came up with a good point that if you're hurting someone out of protection of yourself and family (or whoever it may be) it's universaly accepted that what this person did wasn't wrong.
So I would agree with Anon. that Sharona didn't think this through.
by Coexist on November 21st, 2009
@Baby Blue
"You asked about ethics"
You are messing things up. I didn't ask the question.
.
"You are damn right I would hurt a murderer if they
went after my family, shit, I'd pull out the rifle
to protect my husband and children."
So according to Sharona's answer, You are doing
the wrong thing, because You are hurting a person
through Your actions.
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
ok, not gonna argue....I apologize for mixing up the names. I think that there is a misunderstanding, and I'm not gonna argue.
by Baby Blue on November 21st, 2009
Hurting anyone is not ethically right in my mind. So I do agree with Sharona. It may become necessary but I still don't believe it is all that ethical. It is the lesser of 2 evils perhaps. If I was forced to do that, It would be against my ethics and I would feel terrible about it. Would I do it....probably yes. It would make me feel like shit. I would look for another way if possible. I would not be proud of myself or take any glory in doing it. I would have to learn to live with the guilt of it. Everyone is different. Maybe Sharona feels as I do?
by Pumpkin Etoile on November 21st, 2009
@Pumpkin
So You are one of those masochistic emotional flagellants
who enjoy feeling guilty despite the decision they make.
Of course You can take this path, but I'll advise You
that having a moral system that includes situations
that You must feel bad about Yourself no matter what
You do are very emotionally and mentally destructive.
And even thoughts of encountering such situations may
haunt You with great fear, making You lose confidence
and self-esteem.
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
Just because we don't agree doesn't make my point of view any less valid then yours. I do not enjoy feeling guilty, but if you can feel happy and good about killing someone even if it is for what you think is a valid reason, then that describes your set of ethics. We obvious do not have the same set of ethics.
by Pumpkin Etoile on November 21st, 2009
It DOES make Your view less valid, according to my beliefs.
There is no objective validity. And I never said I would
feel "happy and good" about killing someone. In Your opinion
the inversion of "guilty" is "happy". So if someone is not
guilty, then He is happy. Wrong.
I just wouldn't feel guilty about it. Guy tried to kill me
or my family member, I shot Him. Simple. It's not like He
didn't know what I will do to Him, when He tries that.
Maybe I would have some shock and a bit of sadness, that
it came to this, but no guilt. I wouldn't be having
nightmares or crying into the sky "WHAT HAVE I DONE"
and think I'm an "evil person".
.
Can You answer this question to me?: WHY would YOU feel
guilty about killing someone who tried to kill You
or someone from Your family without provocation?
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
I really don't feel like arguing with anyone who thinks that any point of view that doesn't agree with theirs is less valid.
You and your ego can live happily ever after knowing that you and you alone are right in your own mind.
...unsubscribed to thread.
by Pumpkin Etoile on November 21st, 2009
@ anonymous, I would feel guilty about taking any human life regardless. @ pumpkin good for you love.
by Baby Blue on November 21st, 2009
@Pumpkin
I would argue about the fact, which one of us has a bigger ego,
if You are the one to claim there is such a thing as objective
validity or ethics, while I feel everyone has their own.
So You'd be the one to impose Your own views on the rest of
the population. But well, hypocrisy is ubiquitous.
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
@Baby Blue
Well. That is Your choice. I've been feeling guilty for
most of my life, because of the contradictory values and
ambiguous morals that were imposed on me by my parents,
environment, religion and culture.
This guilt brought me much harm, I had a tough time to
stop feeling guilty over every single thing I do and
I'm not going to get back to that place ever.
.
I don't believe there are situations where no choice
is good (or at least neutral) and I should feel bad
regardless of the choice.
And I believe if there is such a situation, then it
means I need to work more on my values and beliefs,
because something is wrong with them.
.
I could ask You the same question, as I did Pumpkin,
but You might not answer either.
Can You answer this question to me?: WHY would YOU feel
guilty about killing someone who tried to kill You
or someone from Your family without provocation?
by Anonymous T on November 21st, 2009
Why don't you go on your own answer? This anonymous person thinks I care what "it" thinks and follows me all over trying to debate with me. SNORE. UNSUB
by Sharona Life is a Tale Told by an Idiot on November 22nd, 2009
@Sharona
I follow You around? Quite an ego.
And at the top You are insulting me.
I debate about everything I want to
and You are not special in it, bitch.
.
Stop answering so many questions, then
You'll decrease the probability of these
debates.
by Anonymous T on November 22nd, 2009
Anonymous, be done. Usub. no need for profanity.
by Baby Blue on November 22nd, 2009
That's the only thing Anonymous T knows how to do. Sense he's a stalker, profanity runs hand in hand.
Speaking of hands, I'm waving a hand your way Baby Blue. :-D
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 22nd, 2009
@Baby Blue
She was the first one to insult me.
And You won't be telling me what to do.
So fuck You too.
by Anonymous T on November 22nd, 2009
Anonymous T, you would be better talking to your hand. I really don't think Baby Blue has any interest in having sex with a moron.
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 22nd, 2009
And that is not offensive to me at all,
because neither would I with Her.
GAFY too, Remington.
by Anonymous T on November 22nd, 2009
You sure ain't going to with me. NGFYOSRA.
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 22nd, 2009
You seem to have quite an obsession
around sex, retard.
by Anonymous T on November 22nd, 2009
You're the stupid fucking asshole stalker following people around dickhead. You're the damn retard. Now go suck yourself.
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 22nd, 2009
Like I've got nothing else to do than stalking retards, retard.
But some people, including You, seem to be so incredibly retarded,
that they don't understand, if two people are answering and
commenting questions from the "Latest Q&A" often, they are
bound to meet.
I'm going to stay on this topic and every other however long
I want, because this is a public portal and You have ZERO
authority here. The same goes for answering whichever
questions I want and commenting whichever answers I want.
And You can't help it, retard.
by Anonymous T on November 22nd, 2009
Well guess what retard, I want your stupid retarded ass to stay on this thread. Please, I want you to, really, I do. But I have better things to do than to argue with your stupid retarded uneducated ass. After I post this I'll point and click the Unsub bar and leave your retarded ass hanging. Good-bye idiot.
by 1858 Remington 1-21-13 on November 23rd, 2009
Retard.
by Anonymous T on November 24th, 2009