Question about making ethical decisions

jakethebake · #1 10-05-2005, 11:35 AM

I was thinking about this last night when I couldn't sleep. In making ethical or moral decisions, are you a “black & white” kind of person or a “shades of gray” kind of person? Why? In making ethical decisions, do you have a firm set of stated moral beliefs that you consciously work from, or do you wing it depending on the situation and just what seems right given the circumstances? Why?

I tend to be a very black & white kind of person and have a set of established morals that are my own that I follow.

Shajen · #2 10-05-2005, 11:55 AM

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I was thinking about this last night when I couldn't sleep. In making ethical or moral decisions, are you a “black & white” kind of person or a “shades of gray” kind of person? Why? In making ethical decisions, do you have a firm set of stated moral beliefs that you consciously work from, or do you wing it depending on the situation and just what seems right given the circumstances? Why?

I tend to be a very black & white kind of person and have a set of established morals that are my own that I follow.

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I'm pretty black and white. I'm a raging liberal though, so that might seem weird to some.

I have a relatively rigid set of "guidelines" (more like life experiences, opinions) that I follow. I do try to take into consideration all aspects of a certain idea or concept, but for the most part, I ain't changing [censored]. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

asofel · #3 10-05-2005, 12:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about this last night when I couldn't sleep. In making ethical or moral decisions, are you a “black & white” kind of person or a “shades of gray” kind of person? Why? In making ethical decisions, do you have a firm set of stated moral beliefs that you consciously work from, or do you wing it depending on the situation and just what seems right given the circumstances? Why?

I tend to be a very black & white kind of person and have a set of established morals that are my own that I follow.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm easily a shades of grey person who follows what seems right and just. I think there are plenty of situations in life which to me feel like they have both correct and incorrect elements to them. Typical questions like "Would you go back and kill Hitler" and so on aren't black and white for me. Perhaps its more that I like to argue and will do so for both sides. Perhaps I don't like being wrong and by trying to argue and see both sides I prevent myself from any obvious wrong choice.

I do think there are things that are black and white, but these are often so obvious that they require little debate. I think its hard to be black and white as situations in life are usually not that easy.

For those who are, give me a couple examples and let me see what you mean. Are you talking about typical issues like the death penalty, abortion etc? I do find it interesting jake about your normal black/white views, but that you struggle with abortion. I think its a great example where its hard to be black and white...

JihadOnTheRiver · #4 10-05-2005, 12:06 PM

This really belongs in philosophy. I'll assume you have a background in philosophy, and if so you probably recognize this as one of the most important arguments to be had. If you trace the history of the major philosophers, they can be divided up rather well by identifying their answer to this question.

This question, if brought up in a cultured environment, will be the base for a pretty wide range of answers, and a pretty good discussion. Politics can be divided this way as well.

JihadOnTheRiver · #5 10-05-2005, 12:08 PM

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I'm a raging liberal though

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I love it when liberals admit to this. I don't know why.

Olof · #6 10-05-2005, 12:08 PM

I think that if you have strong principles and apply them in a rational manner, virtually all decisions should be completely black and white. That being said, there are a few things such as animal/retard/primitive tribe rights, whether the death penalty should be applied (it's obviously right in principle), abortion etc. that I'm having a hard time deciding upon.

I also think this thread would suit better in SMP.

Warik · #7 10-05-2005, 12:09 PM

I am perfectly capable of assessing a situation and knowing with full certainty what the "correct" ethical decision.

Then my feelings get involved and everything gets screwed up.

blah

jakethebake · #8 10-05-2005, 12:10 PM

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I also think this thread would suit better in SMP.

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I think you're right. But I wanted to hear what people here thought, not get a six page essay from David.

Shajen · #9 10-05-2005, 12:19 PM

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I'm a raging liberal though

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I love it when liberals admit to this. I don't know why.

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I added that to the post to make a point, even though my political stance is liberal, when it comes to ethics I'm pretty black and white. The two don't often go together, I've found.

(I'm not a democrat, if that's where you were going with that comment)

Sephus · #10 10-05-2005, 12:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about this last night when I couldn't sleep. In making ethical or moral decisions, are you a “black & white” kind of person or a “shades of gray” kind of person? Why? In making ethical decisions, do you have a firm set of stated moral beliefs that you consciously work from, or do you wing it depending on the situation and just what seems right given the circumstances? Why?

I tend to be a very black & white kind of person and have a set of established morals that are my own that I follow.

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some things are black and white and some are shades of gray. and some things are more black and white than others.

...i guess this makes me a shades of gray?