What is your basic belief about ethical behaviour?

Posted by: Deane F on 26 March 2007

A few years ago I read "On Equilibrium", by John Ralston Saul. One of his propositions was that the choice to act rightly - once you have decided for yourself what right behaviour was in the circumstance - does not always lead to a "good" outcome for you. That is to say, acting well can result in harm for yourself and if that is so, then the sustenance for that action must come from a belief that you are acting well for the sake of acting well.

It got me thinking that I perhaps have an underlying belief that, for instance, everything will turn out well if I just tell the truth. It seems to me that my culture has taught me that the ultimate result will be good if the action is good - but this isn't always the case and history is littered with proof of that.

What is your basic belief? If you (for instance) tell the truth even when the truth will bring harm to you, are you telling the truth because of a basic belief that truth is good and right?

(I've found this question difficult to frame well, but I hope any that choose to respond get my general gist.)
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Roy T
Unless you are one of those special people who can create, maintain, remember and tell lies with one hundred percent accuracy then stick to the truth as it can be recounted with greater fluency than a constructed work of fiction.
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Big Brother
If you are a Christian, you might tell the truth because there are rewards in the after world, namely, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Regarding other folks, I have always believed Sam Rayburn's axiom : 'Anyone who will cheat for you, will cheat against you.'

I have told the truth and been harmed in the short run, but it worked out for the better in the long.


I always tell the truth,... of course,.. that's a lie.


BB
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Deane F
quote:
Originally posted by Big Brother:

I have told the truth and been harmed in the short run, but it worked out for the better in the long.


But if it hadn't worked out well in the long run, would you still feel that telling the truth in that particular instance had still been the right choice?
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Deane F
I remember a character in a Robert Silverberg novel remarking that the best way to tell a lie was to tell the truth in such a way as it will not be believed.

To me that would still be a lie; the intention was to decieve and the result was deception. Therefore, it is a lie.
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Big Brother
quote:
Originally posted by Deane F:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Brother:

I have told the truth and been harmed in the short run, but it worked out for the better in the long.


But if it hadn't worked out well in the long run, would you still feel that telling the truth in that particular instance had still been the right choice?



That's hard question to answer honestly. Racking my brain, I can only think of telling the truth and regretting it when the truth has harmed OTHERS.

[edit]I think, in all honesty, we all know it's wrong to lie, even a small child knows this. That doesn't prevent us from doing it when we feel the rewards will outweigh the losses. Of course, our lies are petty and harmless and those of others always malicious.


BB
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Jay
ah, but what is a lie and what is the truth? surely another thread deane?!

but putting that aside for the moment. I think we tell the truth because we want to survive. being discovered as a liar may result in mistrust. mistrust means less food, shelter, clothing, etc. we believe that by co-operating (telling the truth) we increase our chance of survival.
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by u5227470736789439
"Tell the truth, and shame the Devil!"

Not a bad little saying. I have lived to regret being truthful, but being somewhat more than half way through this mortal coil, I have intention of changing now, whatever advantage might appear possible from retailing fiction. I also have a dreadful memory for stories, but the truth comes back much more easily...

ATB from Simple Fredrik
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by Big Brother:
If you are a Christian, you might tell the truth because there are rewards in the after world, namely, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.


A bit skewed. Smacks of Peleganianism to me - earning one's eternal reward. Presumeably, as a Christian, one would wish to tell the truth simply because it's the right thing to do...?
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by u5227470736789439
Surely it is only Anglicans and Protestants [including Lutherans etc], who don't preach Heaven and Hell? [Maybe some sub-sects like the Baptists and Methodists, perhaps, as well], but Christians surely have always relied on the carrot and stick approach? I have never felt Angicans and other divolved Church dinominations were Chistians at all, but merely Cherry pickers.

At least the True [Orthodox and Roman] Christians use the whole blood stained and brutal, as well the good, loving and gentle aspects of the Holy Scriptiures as their basis, without selection. Please do advise me if I am wrong. After a long Lutheran and Anglican upbringing, I have never heard it mentioned, what qualifies for eternal damnation! For some this would not be too good in my view!

ATB from Fredrik
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Jay
quote:
Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
what qualifies for eternal damnation! For some this would not be too good in my view!


it's not as bad as crucification Winker
Posted on: 26 March 2007 by Big Brother
quote:
Originally posted by JWM:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Brother:
If you are a Christian, you might tell the truth because there are rewards in the after world, namely, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.


A bit skewed. Smacks of Peleganianism to me - earning one's eternal reward. Presumeably, as a Christian, one would wish to tell the truth simply because it's the right thing to do...?


Sorry, the way I worded it sounded a bit preachy. I guess I meant that when we are young, we fear the wrath of our parents. As adults, we fear the law as well as excommunication from society ( less food, water and shelter ect as someone pointed out.) For Christians that fear might include a wrathful God. As Fredrik stated, the stick can be as good a motivator as the carrot.

For my part I would rather someone told me the truth for a bad reason than a lie for a 'good' one.

Of course you're right, we should tell the truth because it is the right thing to do. I still haven't bothered to look up that big word you used. Smile



BB
Posted on: 28 March 2007 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by Fredrik_Fiske:
I have never felt Angicans and other divolved Church dinominations were Chistians at all, but merely Cherry pickers.

Fredrik


Hard to argue with that, as almost none of the words appear in my dictionary.
Posted on: 28 March 2007 by JohanR
Treat others the way you like to be treated.

JohanR
Posted on: 29 March 2007 by Steve S1
quote:
Treat others the way you like to be treated.


Indeed.