44: Living By Ethical Standards
"I have certainly been sent to improve the ethical standard of human behavior."
[Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]
Sociologist Raymond Baumhart surveyed people and asked:
Among their replies were the following:
- "Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong."
- feelings (fed by varying emotions) sometimes incline towards what is not good. - "Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs."
- religious values are sometimes tainted with cultural prejudices (Hindu caste system that discriminates amongst its adherents) - "Being ethical is doing what the law requires."
- laws often deviate from what is best for the people (Apartheid in South Africa that discriminated against its citizens) - "Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts."
- the previously abnormal can become the norm (Homosexuality in American society)
We note that feelings, religious customs, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical.
Ethics is ...
well based critera that prescribe ...
- what humans ought to do in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society/world, fairness,
or specific virtues
- ("Virtues" are attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to pursue the ideals we have adopted; such as honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, fidelity, integrity, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues ...)
- human abstention from violating rights, ignoring obligations, harming society/world,
injustice or specific vices
- ("Vices" are attitudes or character traits that reflect negative dispositions such as dishonesty, callousness, infidelity, miserliness ...)
Ethics is appreciated through thoughtful reflection on what we as human beings have the potential to become. Virtues are developed through learning and through practice. The ancient philosopher Aristotle suggested that a person can improve his or her character by practicing self-discipline, while a good character can be corrupted by repeated self-indulgence. The Qur'an states that each self is born with the capacity to distinguish wrong from right, successful indeed is the one the keeps the self pure and debased is the one that corrupts the self. [Qur'an 91: 7-10]
Utilitarian Approach
"Everyone is obligated to do whatever will achieve the greatest good for the greatest number." [Principle of utilitarianism]
To analyze an issue using the utilitarian approach
- identify the various courses of action available to us
- consider who will be affected by each action and what benefits or harms will be derived from each?
- choose the action that will produce the greatest benefits and the least harm.
The ethical action is the one that provides the greatest good for the greatest number.
Respect and Moral Rights
Ethical behavior is a matter of being consistent by extending to all persons the same respect and consideration that we claim for ourselves. Ethics requires that there be consistency between how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. "Everyone is obligated to act only in ways that respect the human dignity and moral rights of all persons." [Philosopher, Immanuel Kant]
Consistency-The Hallmark of Ethics
Consistency; the absence of contradictions, has sometimes been called the hallmark of ethics.
Ethics requires consistency in the sense that our moral standards, actions and values should not be
contradictory. Examining our lives to uncover inconsistencies and then modifying our moral standards
and behaviors so that they are consistent is an important part of moral development. Consistency in our
lives also implies an inner integrity. A Believer is duty-bound to live a life of integrity. The
Prophet (pbuh) said:
Integrity is about being honest, being honorable and being your self at your best. Integrity is about moral maturity; what it is to think and act in a way that reflects the full stature of a good, responsible and rational human being.
Fundamental Question of Ethics
The moral life, then, is not simply a matter of following moral rules and of learning to apply
them to specific situations. The moral life is also a matter of trying to determine the kind of people
we should be and of attending to the development of character within our communities and ourselves.
The fundamental question of ethics is not limited to "what should I do?" but also extends to
"what should I be?" - Do not tell the truth only because you have to, but because you
want to; not because of law or custom but because you are honest, because you are a moral being.