ETHICS AND MORALITY. RIGHTS- WHAT THEY ARE, AND WHAT THEY ARE NOT. PT 3.

Can we break down the Hierarchy of which Category of Rights is the most important, and can supersede the others?  Yes, it is possible to do this, and the following is the result of such an analysis.

HUMAN RIGHTS-  Must, by their very nature, rank as #1.  They are the only Category of Rights that is binding on all Countries, States and Governments.  This is the goal of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to create and enforce Laws that bind the people of all nations to a Universal set of Moral Standards in the proper treatment of every member of the Human race.

Further, that these are Rights that cannot be relinquished, even on a voluntary basis. THE BOTTOM LINE-  HUMAN RIGHTS CANNOT BE DENIED, LOST OR GIVEN UP, REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

CIVIL RIGHTS-  Are a sub-category of CITIZENS RIGHTS, but are placed on a level higher in importance. Citizens Rights may include such things as Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly etc., but may not be legally applied in every situation. This is where the Category of Civil Rights can be found.
Consider the following : 

        Example #1-  Freedom of Religion allows you to believe and promote a certain set of Moral Values.  However, the application of such values in the Public Sector may not be considered Legal.

         Example #2-  Freedom of Speech permits you to advocate and relay information to other people.  However, the Legal System may create limits on the How, When and Where such information is disseminated.

         Example #3-  Freedom of Assembly-  Allows you to Come Together and/or Associate with other like minded individuals.  A Legal problem may arise if these meetings are used for planning Criminal Activities, or for the purpose of creating situations that have a detrimental affect on other persons and groups.

These examples have one main goal:  That Government has a Moral duty to its citizens and society at large, to create restrictions on Individual Rights, for the benefit of all.

End of PT 3.

Date-  6\26\2014.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. MORAL COWARDICE- WHEN YOU SACRIFICE YOUR PRINCIPLES, SO NOT TO OFFEND. PT 2.

A major part of the work that goes into publishing this site, is keeping up with current news and events.

However, it also means confronting and understanding opposing viewpoints, not only of those I have never met, but also friends and family.  What I have found to be most interesting is the reluctance of some to voice an opinion, if they are aware of those with a dissenting point of view being present.

I understand that many people will go out of their way to avoid confrontation.  The desire to be liked and accepted is so strong in some individuals, that they will try to find a way to make everyone happy. This includes being a passive witness and listener, even when someone is ridiculing and disrespecting an opinion or belief they hold dear.  Even more disturbing, this can extend to the point of ignoring inaccurate or wrong information being transmitted to others, by an individual who clearly does not understand the facts of a given situation.

I have often found this to be true of a person promoting an idea that supports a certain world view that cannot stand up to close scrutiny.  They bend or distort information in a way that fits neatly with their conception of reality, even if it violates the Rules of Logic and Critical Thinking.

Now the point of confronting such irrational and clearly invalid lines of reasoning, is not to attempt to change the mind of the offending individual.  Usually, this would be a pointless exercise, for they have already exhibited a capacity to ignore anything that would conflict with their viewpoint.  As we have seen, especially when we examine certain decisions made by Juries in Criminal Trials, that some people lack the ability or willingness to make decisions in a rational manner.

Look for PT 3.

Date-  5/29/2014.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. JUST ANOTHER EXCUSE. PT 2.

Remember, you have no way of knowing how many Individuals were

Interviewed to get the few Sound Bites Broadcast over the Air.  There 

could be Dozens of Reasonable and Thoughtful Comments Discarded,

to get the Irrational Ramblings of a Few that will create Dissension and 

Controversy.

FOCUS GROUPS are another Form of Interviewing that Attempts to

get a REASONABLE MEASUREMENT OF THE ATTITUDES AND 

OPINIONS OF A SPECIFIC SECTION OF THE POPULACE OR 

ELECTORATE.  However, These are also Unreliable, Especially if; 

-  The DEMOGRAPHICS RELY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED

BY PERSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS, WITH LITTLE OR NO ADDITIONAL 

DATA TO SUPPORT IT.

-  The PROBLEM OF PRODUCER\INTERVIEWER BIAS, WHERE 

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS IS LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF

ONE OR TWO MEDIA MEMBERS.

-  THE INTERVIEWER ALLOWING ONE OR MORE PERSON(S)

TO CONTROL THE GROUP DYNAMICS.  THIS IS DONE WHEN

THE PERSONALITY OF CERTAIN MEMBERS INTIMIDATES 

OTHERS.

-  THE CONTENT OF INITIAL QUESTIONS ARE WORDED TO 

STEER OR INFLUENCE ANSWERS IN A PARTICULAR DIRECTION.

-  EDITORIAL CONTROL OF AIRED CONTENT IS LEFT TO THE 

JUDGMENT OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE INCENTIVES TO CONTROL

WHAT THE PUBLIC SEES.

Never take at FACE VALUE WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR ON A BROADCAST 

BY ANY MEDIA OUTLET.  MANY TIMES THEY ARE NOT THE 

IMPARTIAL OBSERVERS YOU THINK THEY ARE.

Date- 8/21/2015.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. RIGHTS- WHAT THEY ARE, AND WHAT THEY ARE NOT. PT 2.

Rights, when we are discussing the Public Sector, generally fall into two categories;

1)  HUMAN RIGHTS-  These are Protections, Freedoms and Guarantees that are bestowed upon individuals by virtue of their being part of the Human Race.  To a certain degree some of these may be applied to all living things, but only to a certain extent and varies depending on specific situations.

2) CITIZENS RIGHTS-  Are granted by a governing body with the legal authority over a specified jurisdiction, to individuals identified as part of the recognized civil population.  These Rights can vary greatly, depending on the source of Authority.  i.e (Constitutional Republic, Monarchy

Oligarchy, Dictatorial etc.)

This brings us to the concept of CIVIL RIGHTS, which is basically a sub-category

of CITIZENS RIGHTS. The main difference is;

 -  Rights given to all Citizens may include the ability to chose a System of Morality and/or Faith that is constructed by the individual, and is not interfered with by the State.  Further, that one cannot be held either Criminally or Civilly for Behavior or Speech that others consider offensive.

 -  Civil Rights are guarantees set up by the State/Government, that protect individuals from Malicious, Discriminatory, Arbitrary and Hateful acts that target them specifically as a single person or as part of a group.

These Rights apply to both the Public and Private sectors. Civil Rights are basically set up to"Level the Playing Field", in which no single person or group has an unfair advantage over other parts of society.

However they are applied, not all Rights are created equal.  Some can never be taken away, Some are Valid only in certain cases, and others may be given up voluntarily.

There is one main rule that applies to all Rights:  NO ONE CAN EXERCISE A RIGHT, WHICH AT THE SAME TIME VIOLATES THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

End of PT 2.

Date-  5/16/2014.