Ethical Decisions

One of the more difficult tasks we as human beings are given is the making of ethical decisions.

Is it better to hurt someone beloved now, or later? Is it best to grow in a selfish manner (albeit spiritually) or is it best to stay behind as a group? Which side is correct when looking at any problem or dilemma?

The answer depends on your perspective to a certain extent, but looking in further, these answers lie within a set of ideals.

Ethics are a set of ideals which form values. To my limited understanding, an ethical principle would be a higher order way of looking at the world. Now being a high-order perspective, ethical principles are not always used actively in the actual decision making process. Yes, an individual can rank ethical principles based on their own experiences, however a person is more likely to use their values to actually make decisions in their daily lives.

Values, to me, would be the manifestation of ethical principles. Values when grouped together within a framework, be it cultural, religious or otherwise form a phenomenon known as a value system.

Value systems and values are what allow us to use our logical, reasoning minds to make ethical decisions. If you really think about it, a logical entity would not necessarily care about ethical principles, unless these principles resulted in more benefit than harm. So, the way in which our logical minds interact with these principles are through values and value systems.

Being the manifestation of ethical principles, our values form the backbone of society in a lot of ways. When looking at what is valued in a given society, you have to take into account the history of the society, the identity of the society, choices made within the society and problems facing it. So, looking at the values of a society tells us more than simply the ethical ideals that society holds dear.

At the end though, ethical actions, values, value systems... they are different but they are all expressed in the same way. Through our daily lives, through every action we take.

Which is the best way - no one knows, all we can do is pray for guidance, and think on the problems that face us... and I believe that this is a part of the solution, for when we think on the problem, at least we are engaging our values, and this engagement is the purpose of having these values in the first place isn't it?