Questioning Morality and Ethics... Again

“The speed of modern life is an oppressive thing, and the corporate world is quick to punish those with an honest heart. Qualities such as ‘nice, honest, kind, happy, relaxed, sincere, innocent’ are frowned upon as weaknesses. Yet these values are the essence of a good person. Unfortunately, if you don’t keep the balance, they can be lost like sand through your fingers.”

-- Fennel Hudson

Bernard Haring says "MORALITY IS for PERSONS" What does this mean?

As far as we know, morality is a human concept. However, we have proof that elephants have a sense of self and, therefore, they might have a sense of God. It is not a far stretch to think they might also have a sense of moral conduct. If so, Haring would be wrong.

Do you think wanton disregard and indifference to the suffering of a fellow human, as exhibited by Derek Chauvin, is the most toxic form of hatred?

Chauvin made a grave error in judgment. As a servant of the people, we expect more thought to go into action. Floyd was handcuffed behind his back. There were other officers on the scene. There was a police vehicle right there to put Floyd into. Everything he didn’t do, made no sense. Whether it was hatred or not, I am not his judge. Brandon Mitchell, a juror, had Chauvin guilty before the trial even started. Toxic hatred? Only he and Chauvin know in their hearts what they did. Maxine Watters, evidences outspoken hatred at every turn and has been the catalyst for much violence which she seems fine with. I would rather not judge her, either, but her mouth seems to do that for her. So, which is more toxic? Unfortunately, the public will decide, and not one of them is innocent either. There seems to be enough “toxic hatred” to go around.

What does "try not to do wrong in the process of doing right" mean?

This seems to be a theme our police forces need to take up. The problem is this: A woman is coming at another woman with a knife. She is told to stop. She doesn't. The police officer doesn’t shoot. The woman is knifed and dies. The officer is found guilty of not doing their job by protecting the victim. Or, the officer shoots and, whether the attacker dies or not, the officer is found guilty for doing their job. “Not doing wrong in the process of doing right” can be a double-edged sword, at times.

“You are only a bad person if you do bad things. That's not an acquittal. The counterpoint is that you are only a good person if you do good things.”

-- Joseph Fink

Can you complete this saying, "Australia hasn't gone to the dogs, it has gone to the..."?

Australians. They’ve made it abundantly clear. If you want to live there, you must embrace their laws, their constitution, their culture, and their people, or… you can leave.

Who are some contemporary people who really deserve the title of 'genius?'

I was interested enough to look this up, and then, I was very disappointed. The lists I saw of “contemporary geniuses” was a who’s who of entertainment. Oh, hell no. I’m looking for doctors, physicists, engineers, and the like. People who are constantly breaking new ground in robotics, quantum theory, medicine, and mathematics. That isn’t to say there aren’t geniuses involved in the arts, but, to me, they’re wasting their genius mind in an industry that, more times than not, destroys brain cells.

James Woods has an IQ of 180. He won a full scholarship to MIT and has done what with it? Dolf Lundgren has a 160. He has two degrees in Chemical Engineering and won the “rare” Fulbright Scholarship from MIT. He has also done what with it?

I’m confused, but then, I’m not that smart.

Can we do mean acts if only to arrive at a good end?

What? No. Hell, no. There must be a good act in there somewhere, the problem is taking the effort to find one. It is much easier to take the low road than to search out a high one. To think it’s proper to simply go low to achieve an end is a sad reflection of what humanity has become, the League of the Perpetually Offended. We need to get back to what it really means: “compassionate, sympathetic, or generous behavior or disposition: the quality or state of being humane” — Merriam-Webster

“Choices made, whether bad or good, follow you forever and affect everyone in their path one way or another.”

-- J.E.B. Spredemann

Does the proverb "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" apply in today's 21st century?

More than ever! Gambling has never been a plan for life, and it still isn’t. If you have a job, keep it while you’re looking for another. Don’t burn your bridge until you’re sure of the road ahead. Are you really willing to risk what you have on a bet unless it’s a sure thing? And, if it is for sure, you really aren’t much of a gambler, are you? People have made their fortune with a gamble, but more people have made their fortune by building on what they have, with hard work and ingenuity. 

How can newly acquired knowledge change established values?

If the “newly acquired knowledge" makes significantly more sense than the “established” values, it would seem to make good sense to change your values, providing the new knowledge does not violate your ethics or morals. We establish values for a reason, and that reason has to do with who we are. If we allow “new knowledge” to constantly change our values, we will never truly have a definition of self, except that, who we are, depends on which way the wind is blowing at any particular time. We become politicians, constantly trying to regain respect for ourselves. New knowledge can be the “impetus” for change, but it doesn’t have to change anything unless we allow it to.

Reflect on the Tedtalk of Robert Waldinger. Are you living a good life?

If I based whether my life was good or not on someone else’s definition, I’d be relying on someone else’s opinion for everything. Am I living a good life? Given my circumstances, my life is without drama, relaxing, and has been fulfilling. Could it be better? Everything can be better, but I have no issue with the direction and quality of what I have now. I have to take care of my mother which is a responsibility I have accepted and, other than that, I live my life as I wish.

You can listen to how others define “good life” and compare it to your own definition, but whether the definition they give actually fits into your lifestyle and your happiness, is a decision each of us must make. I don’t have to listen to Waldinger to know my life is fine. It must be.  I’ve been smiling the entire time I’ve been typing this.

“Convince yourself every day that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress, breathe. Stay positive, all is well.”

-- Germany Kent

What happened to you? Weren't you once upon a time a much better person than you are now?

Oh, heavens no. I was a high-active little shit when I was young, then I went into the military and they taught me how to control my “excess” energy and focus it. Unfortunately, the focus had nothing to do with making me a better person as much as it did making a better something else. I have spent the past 25 years burying the “something else” and learning to be a “better” person.

When can you say you are a good person?

Every time I look in the mirror. The day I can’t say this, someone will have serious regrets.

What does it mean to be able to think critically? Does it mean to think about the bad things of something?

You could put it that way. I look at it as seeing how something might be better than it is. It means to critique something completed or something completed or to be completed, a process, a project, a person, and see how they might measure up to expectations. When I take a critical eye to something, I try to tear it apart, find the weaknesses, strengths, and how it might be better if it needs to be. Critical thinking was a large part of my military career.

“We are all in favor of emotional intelligence. Intelligence can take emotion as a privileged counseling partner. However, it does not allow the emotion to take possession of us, besiege our mind, and subjugate our thinking. The emotion must regulate our thoughts, not manipulate nor substitute them. Our perception is only a biased picture of reality, and emotions are individual or provisional. Therefore, critical thinking and emotional thinking must go hand in hand.”

-- Erik Pevernagie

Why do people say that Islam is cancer to the human race?

They equate all of Islam to the heretics who believe killing innocence is the road to heaven. There is good and bad to be found in everything. There must be balance or we forget what is good and bad. The Catholic Church, for instance, has much penance to do over supporting Nazi Germany and turning a “blind eye” to atrocities perpetrated against the Jews and those “less desirable,” of the time, in Europe. Catholics, today, seem ignorant of this or would rather not discuss it. How many millions died in the Nazi camps? Probably enough to redefine “cancer” to the most delicate sensibilities.

What is necessary for people to recognize your greatness?

Recognize my humility.

Author's comment: This answer is awesome, thanks, stay humble, and be great! 

What is a free act?

Thinking for yourself. Your right to choose to think, This is a free act that no one may take from you. No matter what anyone does to stop you, you always have the right to think and choose.

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

-- Virginia Woolf

 

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.