ETHICS AND MORALITY. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE INDIFFERENT. PT 1.

One of the Most Fascinating Parts in Researching ETHICS AND MORALITY, in Terms of the Nature and Source of CONCEPTS OF RIGHT AND WRONG, IS HOW SOME SYSTEMS THAT ARE DESCRIBED AS ANTAGONISTIC TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER, HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN THEIR ADHERENTS ARE WILLING TO ADMIT.

What is even more Unusual, is that They often have common Foes or Opponents in the PUBLIC AND POLITICAL SPECTRUM, AND ARE BEING PLAYED ONE AGAINST THE OTHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO COULD CARE LESS ABOUT EITHER.

To Better Understand This, we must DEFINE EACH SYSTEM, AND SEPARATE THE DIFFERENT SUB- CATEGORIES THAT EACH CONTAINS.

FAITH BASED MORALITY-  IS, IN GENERAL, ETHICS BASED ON A METAPHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL SET OF GUIDELINES.  THESE ARE USUALLY PASSED DOWN FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER, AND CAN BE PART OF A WRITTEN OR ORAL TRADITION. HOWEVER, INTERPRETATIONS CAN DIFFER OVER TIME, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF THE FAITH ITSELF.

INTELLECTUAL REFLECTION-  IS THE IDEA THAT ALL ANSWERS REGARDING ETHICAL QUESTIONS CAN BE FOUND BY THE USE OF CRITICAL THINKING AND LOGIC, AND HOW IT IS APPLIED TO HUMAN BEHAVIOR, BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP.  INTENT, MOTIVATIONS, AND CONSEQUENCES ARE KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THIS SYSTEM OF MORALITY.

SITUATIONAL ETHICS-  RIGHT AND WRONG ARE MEANINGLESS CONCEPTS, AND WHATEVER DECISIONS OR ACTIONS TAKEN ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE, AS LONG AS IT IS MADE BY FREE CHOICE.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. TRUMP AND DAVIS- THE ONE-TWO PUNCH OF INTOLERANCE.

( A BLAST FROM THE PAST. Date 9/3/2015)

As of 5:00pm, Todays Big Political News is;

-  DONALD TRUMP PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY,  AND WILL NOT RUN AS A THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE.

-  KIM DAVIS, THE COUNTY CLERK IN KENTUCKY WHO REFUSED TO ISSUE MARRIAGE LICENCES TO SAME- SEX COUPLES, IS FACING JAIL TIME FOR REFUSING TO OBEY A COURT ORDER AND FEDERAL LAW, WHICH RECOGNIZE THE LEGALITY OF THESES UNIONS.

Nothing in Common You Think?  Hardly.  They are SIMPLE BAROMETERS MEASURING HOW MUCH ULTRA- RIGHT WING SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BELIEVES THEY CAN EXPECT COME ELECTION TIME.

To Put it More Simply, HOW MUCH RACISM, SEXISM, AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE WILL DRIVE THE MONEY INTO CAMPAIGN COFFERS, AND SPUR VOTER TURNOUT.

TRUMP spread his SPIEL IN AN OVERCROWDED REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL FIELD, BY INSULTING AN ENTIRE ETHNIC GROUP,VETERANS, WOMEN etc.,  did you really think his Support Would Remain Constant as the Field Shrank from those who dropped out?

KIM DAVIS does not have to PERFORM, ATTEND, OR EVEN LIKE THEIDEA OF SAME- SEX MARRIAGE. However, SHE AND HER ILK WANT TO DENY THIS OPTION TO EVERY OTHER AMERICAN. 

IT IS SO REFRESHING TO HAVE ONE PERSON OR GROUP BE THE LAST WORD ON THE STANDARDS OF MORALITY EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD LIVE UP TO,  SINCE THEY SPEAK FOR GOD.

To Them RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MUST PASS THEIR OWN STANDARDS, NOT THE CONSTITUTION, COURT SYSTEM OR EVEN THE CONCEPT OF HYPOCRISY. 

You Know, the IDEA THAT EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CANNOT BE USED TO DENY THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF OTHERS, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE IS DOING.

So be Careful America, AND LOOK UNDERNEATH THE RHETORIC.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. MORAL COWARDICE- WHEN YOU SACRIFICE YOUR PRINCIPLES, SO NOT TO OFFEND. PT 4.

Sometimes, it is fairly easy to pick out the Closet Bigot, Racist, Homophobe etc., simply by their choice of argumentation.  Very few public figures are going to openly embrace such belief systems, it would be political suicide.  Also, citizens who embrace such attitudes are usually careful enough not to be upfront and honest about expressing such views openly.  Both groups have adopted tactics they hope are devious enough to mask their true motivations, when dealing with groups they oppose.

However, these actions are not very artful, and really hide nothing if one looks closely at what is being said or proposed. They are designed to appeal to those who may not share the same opinions, but may become motivated to support the individual or group because they supposedly share common ground.

What is unfortunate is that the Moral Coward may realize the truth that motivates these individuals or groups, but refuses to "Rock the boat", in calling them out for what they really are.  This is especially true if those who hold extremist views cloak them under the guise of such terms as "Patriotism", "Nationalism", "Religious Freedom" or "Law and Order." The Moral Coward may see family, friends or co- workers drawn into supporting candidates who are hiding behind such concepts to appeal to a greater part of the electorate.  They see the "Smokescreen" being set up, and realize the actual intent to deceive.  Yet, the fear of "Offending" or "Angering" someone who is Loved, Respected or Admired, trumps the possible good that could be realized through honest and open communication.

This is very unfortunate.  Of course, no one likes to be told that they are being deceived.  Further, admitting that you are being duped is something that is not easy to accept.  However, progress is never easy.  History has taught us that "Traditional Values and Mores" , "Social Status" and other such constructs are not easy to overcome.  Yet, the belief that doing or espousing the "GOOD" or the "RIGHT", is the Moral Absolute that seems to be prevalent in both faith and humanistic based ethical systems.

Maybe it's time for all of us to practice what we preach.

Date-  8/23/2014.

ETHICS AND MORALITY. MORAL COWARDICE- WHEN YOU SACRIFICE YOUR PRINCIPLES, SO NOT TO OFFEND. PT 3.

In Today's Political Environment, as has happened in the recent past, the vicious nature of public commentary is again forcing Rational Discourse to the sidelines.  You cannot turn on the Radio or Television, without hearing the incoherent rambling of some Political Pundit.  Insults, Threats and Bad Information are the norm. Modern Technology has changed the very nature of how Political and Social debate is now conducted in the Public Spectrum, in comparison to Decades past. I am of course referring to Cable Television and the Internet.

Before the worldwide expansion of the Internet, and the introduction of Cable Television into private homes, Political News, Commentary and Review Programs represented a very small part of what was broadcast over the air.  Prior to the 1980s most homes received programming from the three major Networks: CBS, NBC and ABC, and maybe several local UHF Channels and PBS.  Legendary shows such as SEE IT NOW, SIXTY MINUTES, MACNEIL\ LEHRER and the National Evening News provided the vast majority of Over the Air viewing regarding Political News and Information. 

Additionally, Newspapers and Magazines, once Bastions of "In- Depth" Investigative Reporting and "From the Scene" Articles , are now struggling to stay afloat financially. The Reason: In the past, these elements of the Media prided themselves on the Professionalism, Integrity, Honesty and Accuracy of the information they presented to the public, and this led to the trust and esteem that the News Media relied on to succeed.

Unfortunately, the proliferation of so-called "News Stations and Programs", and the ability to place anything on the Internet regardless of Truth or Lack of Critical Construction or Validity, has led to the rapid increase in Bogus, Irrational, Racist, Bigoted, Homophobic etc. news items.  Such Reporting will never make it past the Editorial Standards of true Journalistic Professionals, who value truth and integrity.

The real sadness is not the Irrational or Closed- Minded people who report and thrive off the Hate and Misery they feel, and want to inflict on others through false and misleading information.  These people have probably always been with us, and maybe always will.  However, Moral Cowardice does not challenge or refute information known to be wrong, and allows this Bullying of the Innocent to continue without confrontation or contradiction.

Look for PT 4.

Date- 7/7/2014.