Ethical Vs Moral Dilemma
76Disclaimer: All the incidents and opinions mentioned are based on my personal experiences. I have no intention to hurt anybody''s feelings.
After the recent incident mentioned in my other hub titled: What I want you to know about countywomen I have started having some questions on ethical and moral issues. Most of the times they tend to be used interchangeably. Ethics is defined in the dictionary as "The rules or standards governing the conduct of individuals or members of a profession". Morals is defined in the dictionary as "Concerned with Judgement of the goodness or badness of human action and character".
I have grown up primarily in India and have been here in US for a little over 4 years of time. Hence I may primarily have the influence of my parental values from India. In Nov 2004 we were returning from the University campus after completing our group project and my project mate dropped me home late in the night. Their was a red signal and their was no one around but she stopped right their on the line to wait for the signal to turn to green before she proceeded. I remember so many times in India in the night when traffic cops aren't their nobody cares for the traffic signals. It was one of the first lessons for me to see the respect for traffic rules and also driving ethics (maintaining the speed limit no matter what time).
I was praising her like anything saying you are such a good girl stopping at the line and driving within speed limit even when nobody is around. Since she already knew about my preferences for not smoking or drinking she told me that you are so good. She used to smoke a full pack of cigarettes and had even tried marijuana hence their is nothing great about her. I always admire her for her honesty in admitting such things. But that set me thinking that according to my brought up such things like smoking, drinking and having relations with boys before marriage isn't good. This girl who was just 2 years older than me had already done all that which I considered for myself "bad" and also openly revealing all that.
Now coming to the reasons why I have these beliefs. When my mother used to go to the Naval parties some of those Admirals wives used to drink alcohol and talk about themselves as being some how better than those sailors wives who are not "educated" (being can't speak in English). They would make such a hue and cry if the alcohol wasn't at the right temperature or the food wasn't hot enough. She said once that usually negative starts with "de" like demerit or debase etc. These women think from others this is what I deserve instead of thinking to others how I may serve. She used to tell me that being modern isn't holding a wine glass and talking high philosophy but being able to see the best in others and accept that instead of trying to imitate some one else unnecessarily. Hence me and my brother even if we were given a lot of freedom(as parties are very common we used to have so many monsoon ball, Navy ball and so on) we always knew that with the freedom came the responsibility not to "misuse" it.
Hence in my view moral values aren't exactly the same as ethical values. Moral values to a large extent are imbibed from the parents and the society in which one is brought up. One of my close friends in High school used to drink alcohol in parties and once I asked him does your dad know about it. He said my dad himself drinks and he has no right to tell me not to drink it. Therefore I think it is also the parents actions more than their moral lecture that tends to influence their kids moral values.
Where as on the other hand issues like I have to complete this task with in the deadline as best as I can be considered as work ethics. Or I have to treat a patient as well as I can within the rules can be considered as medical ethics and so on. Ethics are bordering more on the legal and enforcement area.
Morals are specific to the upbring and societal influences. Like revealing(in general Americans are open) vs concealing(some Indians like me), drinking vs not drinking, smoking vs not smoking, pre marital relationships vs non pre marital relationships and so on. Here their is nothing like a definitive right or wrong. Like drinking in Islamic societies is considered as a sin and eating certain meats(cow or pig) in different religious societies is not allowed.
In general ethics wins over morals. Ofcourse those moral issues like (prostitution where it is banned becomes an ethical issue too). For example if I tell my prospective spouses family that I did drink couple of times would they accept it. I doubt it(But after marriage if my spouse insists on a champaigne will I try it then maybe). But if I told my prospective spouses family that I had a profile of a actress and got away making fun of a few men for 2 days on hub pages would they mind it. I am sure they are also going to laugh along with me. In this case I agree morally it is not correct to lie but if the intention was not to cheat or lead them to do something stupid then is it still wrong. I don't think so.
Hence is their a standard definition of morality when it means different things to different people. I don't intend to Judge anybody for what they do as that would be wrong too. Since human beings may some times tend to rationalize that what they do is right and what others do isn't right. If some one asks me not drinking, smoking and affairs before marriage is "wrong" then I would say for me YES and for others NO. When we all have grown with so many different experiences in life then we all can learn and appreciate the finer things in others without being judgemental about everything everytime.
Finally if I want to find a differences I could look closely in the mirror and find differences between even my left and right eye brow. The point is not to look for those differences in our values/beliefs but trying to see if their is a common ground and how we can appreciate the best in others so that together we all evolve as better human beings.
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Comments
CW - Now, that's a great explanation about morals and ethics. Fine, come back to normal and blend with the community as usual. I hope you are alright.
Hi CW,
I think we all have to judge -otherwise there is no right and wrong. There is a difference though between judging and condemning. These are not equal and it seems that people often think that they are.
LOL CW-girl, you are taking it way tooooooooo seriously :) If I may advise, the proper course of action after your prank gone bad was just to say something like "oops, sorry guys, I was just messing with you" and move on. Nobody has hard feelings about what happened, trust me :)
However, the fact that you are taking this very seriously, and trying to analyze what happened and make corrections to how you interact speaks loud and clear in your favor, for those who can hear :)
As for the formal topic of your hub - I too traveled a lot in my life, and my observations are the same as yours - morals and ethics are relative. Some people will argue with this, but it is usually because they did not have a chance to closely watch other cultures but their own yet.
Hence, I always felt that using "right and wrong" or "good and bad" is - well - wrong :D In a sense that it does not benefit the person who does such judgment. But how one can approach life at all if he/she does not have a yardstick to measure what is happening to them?
Can't speak about others, but I came to just trying to understand how I personally feel about the issue. If I like it - it is "right" and "good", if not - it is "wrong" and "bad". This puts things into a perspective. I don't think of something being universally and globally bad if I don't like it. It is just my personal opinion my likes and dislikes, and others may have another opinion. I don't claim my likes and dislikes to be THE TRUTH.
I think you are moving towards this approach, too, even if you don't realize it yet :)
Coming back to the incident again, all what it adds to the picture of you I have in my head is - she loves to pull pranks, and sometimes they go bad. Hardly something negative, is it? ;)
And the aftermath of the incident add a bit more - she deals with her mistakes the way I like people to do this ;)
Dear CW, Misha gave you great explanation (Misha, you deserve your saint avatar, you are wise man).
Anyhow, we live here in the modern world, we all do mistakes,and go on the road of life again. Wisdom of my age says: Who cares! God is unconditional love and does no mistakes: as a part of light, who is God, you did what was needed to be done, you just played little sharade with the guys who were "asking" for that. Law of Karma. Everyone learned a lesson, and now is the time for the lesson of tolerance and acceptance...
All story is very funny, from the beginning of the time, men and women sometimes play the games. Nothing wrong with that. It give us all a little bit spice in the life.
None of us is saint, that is the reason we developed the tolerance, and see the light and love in the others, who are not perfect as well.
Be brave, all of us need you to stay here, with us.
Misha, you are great! I am honored to be your fan!
Hubber2009- Yes ethical and moral issues are relative. And you are right we should analyze for ourselves unlike blindly following like sheep. Thanks for the first comment as always you manage to do so. Are you online 24 X 7?
Weblog- Their are certain things that nobody has said to me in my life so far hence it takes a while for digesting it. Yes I will try to come back to the normal mode soon. I really appreciate your concern and support for me.
Lori- The reason I say that Judging isn't necessarily good is due to fact that we don't even understand ourselves properly for us to be able to judge ourselves. Then how much more difficult it is to Judge others without understanding them. And if we don't understand properly and start judging them then that means we are trying to jump to conclusions. I agree we need to be able to decide when to judge and when not to judge. If I am walking alone in the night I can't ignore the fact that I am vulnerable and in my defense I have to be able to be careful of some one at that point of time. This is just one example when to err on the side of caution is good.
Misha- After that I wanted to write the hub to reveal all. I didn't want the punch line to a be a one line statement....LOL
But you do make some great statements which I totally echo. Yes what we are and what we do always seems right and even seems as "the truth". I guess it is a very difficult thing for anyone to put themselves in others shoes and think from their point of view. And since you have traveled widely and interacted with lots of people that has given you the wisdom that even Tatjana was complimenting about. Yes maybe I am also arriving at the same conclusion to which you are arriving although I have had a very brief exposure so far to as many people as you have had in your life.
I am glad you like the way I approached this issue. And now even you know that I know "how to stir the pot" maybe I don't know how to control it if the pot is stirred too much(but still learning)...LOL
Tatjana- Misha is a saintly figure and angelic personality for a long time now. It is an established law no more an hypothesis here at hub pages.
I guess it became too spicy for me to handle in the end..hehe. But seriously it has given me a impetus to write more in hubs and to stay away from forums. Don't say none of us a is a saint as we just agreed that Misha is a saint (I thought we had an agreement on that) but seriously you are a saintly person too with your knowledge, empathy and love for so many of us. Every hub of yours is so informative and I also made it a point to reciprocate your google clicks thought. The world needs more people like you who are so thoughtful and kind.
This is another gem article from a expert
I agree with Misha and Tatjana, and well everybody. Like Tatjana I saw the little law of karma in action too. :) When I look back at my life, I see the times I made my "mistakes", and I think it makes one a wiser person, to experience what I would have judged in another, because it didn't change the core of who I am, and makes one pretty understanding of others, reason, why I didn't jump to judge you, and I suspect its the same way from other hubbers who are older than you and have experienced life's dualities.
As for morals and ethics- that is up to each one of us to define; in one culture not wearing a headscarf can land a woman in jail, in another not a second thought is given. The universal law for me is harm no one, love one another (well, at least try, lol) and do the best we can.
As adults our moral development has advanced past that of a 7 year old. There are theories on moral development. When I was studying for my education degree a great deal of time was spent on cognitive and moral development. Kohlberg has developed a theory of six progressive stages of moral development. As children we may only be able to relate to the black in white (rules/ethics) i.e. Stealing is wrong however as an adult we may be able to look at additional factors. i.e. We can see the difference between the person who stole a loaf of bread for his hungry family and the person who stole an HD TV.
Lgali- Thanks for the short and sweet message. Glad you could stop by and appreciate this hub.
Violet- Only if every one was like you then the world would be so much better a place to be. We all have to get the answers and we need them now. If we don't have them then make our own assumptions to reach at some answer seems to be the most logical conclusion for some people. Those are my morals too "harm no one, love one another". Thanks again for stopping by and enriching us with your views.
Mike- WOW!! Are you a Philosophy major? I would love to hear more from you about the academic stand point. You have raised my curiosity about Kohlberg. Yes I know some people tend to see the world in black or white but the truth may leave some where in between. I hope nobody goes hungry and yes that's a great example too. I am so glad you could give your inputs and now I will go research about Kohlberg's six progressive stages.
Dear CW, how would any of us develop wisdom without doing so called "mistakes"? No way! When I was 20, I read a lots of books from Hermann Hesse (he was inspired with theosophy), very wise author. He mentioned in one of them, that nobody can become truly enlightened just with walking through the beautiful, decorated parks, among the flowers. Everyone of us needs too touch the mud of life as well, to be able to put oneself in the shoes of somebody else, and to learn the non-judgmental behaviour towards the others. (I suggest you to read H.Hesse`s "Siddhartha", I think you might like it).
I am so glad you decided to stay with us and keep yourself far from forums.
As you can see from Misha`s example, christian Saints are also not born perfect, neither lead "perfect" life, but they try really hard to give the best of themselves from the life wisdom gained.
In that way, we are all the saints, or not. Who cares, we are all made from God´s unconditional love supstance and try to give the best to this world.
Enjoy yourself, relax, while staying with us. We need your light, this world needs your light, love, kindness, tolerance and religious tolerance in your hubs and comments.In the eyes of Almighty God, that is only what really matters, dear sister.
Divine, who is Light, has also sense of humor...
Dear CW ~ You have started a deep philosophical discussion between friends on hubpages. I really feel the community and sharing. Everyone wants to learn, grow, and improve. Life brings many challenges, which we face in our own particular way, and come out on the other side just a little changed. Hopefully, a bit lighter, more aware and closer to G-d.
Keep writing and bringing joy... Debby
Awww, Tatjana, you made me blush :)
These words do mean a lot, coming from you - thank you :)
When things like morals, eithics and laws are discussed i am reminded of the Tao-Te-Ching to quote.
If the Great Tao Perishes
Then will be morality and duty
When cleverness and knowledge arise
great lies will flourish
When relatives fall out with one another
There will be filial duty and love,
When states are in confusion
there will be faithful servants.
In other words, when a society needs morals, ethics and laws, then things have gone badly wrong. A soceity where everyone truly loves and cares for each other does not need moral codes and laws, because no-one has any desire to hurt or cheat anyone else. Laws and moral codes and the means to enforce them, are only needed when people have learnt to hate, fear and distrust each other.
William Bond
Tatjana- I read Sidhartha a long time ago and yes we all need to find our own answers. But now the question is do I have the right questions to ask at this point of time. I don't know what answers to seek if I don't knows the questions yet. Thanks for that support. After that incident I have seen the overwhelming support which certainly is a strong motivation but more ever a great indication to me that I need to change my track (I never blame anyone for anything as everyone is just doing their part for making my journey of life clearer to me). I realized my primary purpose was to writing articles and poems and I didn't stick to that. It is simply some sort of correction mechanism for me.
Misha- We all really adore you. Your kind presence and support really means a lot for us too.
Debby- You are right. Every moment in life is a learning experience and hopefully we all evolve into better human beings. Hubpages is such a nice place to share and exchange our views. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
William- I will try reading more about Tao. That is such a profound statement. I don't know what to say. But I do hope we have a society where as you say we all "truly loves and cares for each other".
Rudyard Kipling
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man (Woman) my son (my daughter)!
Wish you all the best for Xmas, Day we celebrate Love and Light (and winter solsticium), and purity of Divine inside us.
Lots of Love, and all the best, dear CW, from all my heart.
Tatjana- That is one among two of favorite poems which have it pasted in front of me. The other one I like is this http://hubpages.com/hub/One-Of-My-Favorite-Poems
I like the twist in the end woman/daughter..LOL
I also wish you, your friends & family Merry Christmas and may God bless us all with health, wealth and happiness.
My Indian princess ...I'm going to be straight up with you, you do have some valuable point In this hub. Yes, in places where prostitution is banned is an ethical issue. However, if ethics is described as the rules or standards governing the conduct of individuals than who set the rules of standards? If individuals set the rule of standard than by definition the rule of standard hold variable values which can be manipulated to comfort individuals. This logic states that if individuals set the rules of standards than what is ethical to one group of individuals maybe unethical to another, I agree. But is there a standard definition for morality? Yes there is ..not all morality hold variable values ….murder is an immoral act in all society.
Yes, it is true that what’s immoral to me maybe morally right to another. It’s the same principle I used to determine that perfection has variable values in the sense that it’s not consistent with all views. It’s obvious what’s perfect to me may not be perfect to you. I believe we both agreed that the same approach can be taken towards immorality.
However, I think we shouldn’t place judgment on others who committed an immoral act until we know what that act is. Of -course the judgment we placed on others is a reflection of our moral principles. Although our moral principles may not be consistent with all views the truth holds, some level of logic makes it valuable to society. Unfortunately, value is set by members of our society who are imperfect beings. When we accept those values we're also accepting their imperfection.
Now, although some murders can be justified doesn’t make it right. Taking someone life if it’s not self defense is always wrong …even in some cases of war. It’s wrong under the humanitarian value that is morally understood by us as people …killing another human being is wrong. Some acts that are considered immoral are not always true in all situations; it will depend on the value of the person judging it. In cases of infidelity some would say that infidelity is wrong under all cases, where others would disagree. As imperfect beings, we should not use our judgment to justified others who has committed an act that is not consistent to all views.
They exist what is known as consistent immorality where the action that is viewed as immoral is consistent with all views. For example raping a woman is morally wrong even in cases of war so it doesn't matter to me whether it's in India or Japan, no one can justified rape if the evidence are there to prove it.
As far as prostitution in this society, it is a matter of survival. Those who prostitute themselves whether it's a man or a woman does it because their need the money to survive. Nonetheless, survival can not be viewed as the only reason for all prostitute. Some do see it as a better way to make money besides it pay better than most 9 – 5 . This is why Uncle Sam wants it's share. He is the biggest pimp of all pimps. However, is it morally wrong to prostitute, in my view not at all. Would I want that for my daughter of course not. Is it a double standard ….nope it's not.
I disagreed with Thomas Jefferson who borrowed the quote from the Italian Philip Mazzei that state “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” I believe that we're are born with certain rights as human beings but we're are not born equal. Our parents who raised us, our environments dictates our future occurrences. If Barack Obama was not brought up by educated parents, there is no way in hell he could have been president of the United State. Those prostitutes who cater to sex for money were not all that fortunate, some were brought up without caring parents. Some never made it to high school. Others are educated but does it because it brings more money. We want to do the right thing as a society to help those who wants to be help but we can't help all at the same time. And beside, some got so used to it, they have consented to it as the best way to make a few bucks as adult. This carrier usually prolong from 17 yrs to 25 the most. It is only when they reach 25 that their fill the need to get an education. By than they have finally realized that they can't go on like that for too long. The body ages and eventual deformed, she is no longer attractive, her product has lost substantial value.
Coolbreezing- That comment has enough points to make a hub by itself. Yes I agree if we accept imperfect values from imperfect people then we are going in the direction of imperfection. But I feel we are moving from a lower level of perfection to a higher level of perfection. After all we are humans and we are constantly evolving too.
Different societies have different perceptions of what constitutes killing. One set of people value even killing of animals as wrong and in certain parts of the world where cannibalism still exists killing humans is allowed. Therefore what we are used to and generally accepted is considered as values reasonable for that society.
You have also bought about the oldest debate about Nature Vs Nurture. Even in earlier history books about the British Rule the then Viceroy's used to consider Indians as "uncivilized" and "unintelligent" people who needed to be educated(in their British ways).
But now it is generally accepted fact that the birth of an individual doesn't determine their worth. It is the environment that plays a great role in shaping individuals to be who they are and what they will become.
I do see your point about using this physical attraction which decreases over a period compared to mental(abilities which are constantly growing) attraction which will continue to increase over a period of time. I remember once my father said "What is good for us may not be easy for us and what is easy for us may not be good for us" in the long run.
Thanks for stopping by and enriching this hub.
You're right that is exactly why I decided to make a hub out of it. Please post your reply in my space, I'll be waiting for you on the other side.
Your parents have guided you well so far and you have taken it to the next step. Be the same. There are always critics for everything but as long you feel that you are doing the right thing that is what matters. I have known some immigrants who refuse to change even after they have lived here for a number of years, but you want to learn from others and follow the local customs, that shows your character more. So, be the same. Cheers :)
Cgull8m- Culture is like a heritage which we pass on to the next generation. Thanks for praising my parents (as they say in India the fruit can't be good without the tree being good too). I feel so happy when my parents are praised as they have taken a lot of efforts for us to be where we are today. Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me.
Hubber-2009 said it very well, in my opinion, regardless of what the dictionary says: "Moral it's what others think about whatever, ethical is what You think." I'd say follow your heart, do whatever lets you sleep at night, and it's a pretty sure bet that you'll be all right, regarless of any names in the dictionary.
This Ethical vs Moral dilemma reminds me of a fabulous, but FABULOUS, piece of advice I got from an uncle regarding the difference between "dignity" and "pride": "Pride is when you do stuff because of what others will think of you, and dignity is when you do stuff because of what you'll think of yourself" Ain't that just the best advice?
Kudos for your openness, CW!
Elena- That difference between pride and dignity is too good. In one of the cases that my father had to deal the then Admiral tried to influence my dad through his ADC. My father didn't succumb and gave the Judgement impartially. It ultimately got an officer who was close to the Admiral out of uniform. But the Admiral never forgot it and got another officer passed over my dad for promotion who had till then the best reviews. Anyway my dad was still the happiest man when a colleague told him he could have got better posting and promotion if he just for once would have agreed to the Admiral. My father said my happiness doesn't lie if I get a promotion as it only seems to others that I am happy. But I am happy because I did what is right and I internally feel the happiness even if others don't see it or seem to think of me as not being happy.
Coming to sleep no matter what I do these days hub pages is making me an insomniac...LOL
OK, let's take it from here ...You said “ In certain parts of the world where cannibalism still exists killing humans is allowed”. I don't think they is any place in the world where cannibalism is still allowed. I would say in cases of a mentally disturbed individual yes, it can even happen here in the US. I would even accept a case where powers of witchcraft and sorcery might be exercised but to say plain blank that cannibalism still exist is questionable. You would have had to geographically pen point the location and back it up with current evidence.
Now let us assumed that we live in a condition that is so poor that survival of the fittest have started to becomes the norm. You would still have a hard time justifying killing another human beings as being morally right. If they must be cannibalism, they must be partisanship and if they are partisanship it becomes a case of tribal warfare. A group killing another group for nourishments, in this case killing maybe justifiable but it's not morally right. Both groups knows that their actions are wrong but they do it because it's the only way of surviving. If they were no other groups to fight, the partisanship would brake up to form smaller groups and fight among each other until it came down to one man vs another. Under the principle of survival of the fittest, the urge for a man to eat governs his moral values but it doesn't erase it. Therefore he knows that his actions are immoral he choose to go with it because it's the only way of surviving.
Coolbrezing,
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061357886/A
I know for a fact that certain tribe called aghori in India still practice it. Even till 1970's the remote islands in India the Andaman & Nicobar islands were practicing it until the government started dropping food packets from air to discourage this practice to a great extent. The above book will give you more details.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7295300.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2661365.stm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/articl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibalism A brief history is outlined here.
How can i justify it when i myself in my 25 years of existence have eaten meat only 4 times and had lots of guilty conscience about it.
Well, apparently when you said “in certain parts of the world where cannibalism still exists killing humans is allowed.” you weren't referring to present tense. When you said “still exists” In my mind you're talking about 2008 but I guest not.
How can I justify it when I myself in my 25 years of existence have eaten meat only 4 times and had lots of guilty conscience about it. That is excellent, being a vegetarian is a good choice. I even try to reduced on eating meat myself. Red meat no more but it's hard ...you get tempted at times. And yes, as far as justifying murder, you right ….you can't. You can't justify murder if it's not self defense. You can get away with it if there is not enough evidence to find you guilty. In OJ'S case they just didn't have enough evidence to put him where he belong the first time ...but now they got him. They been after him ever since he murdered his wife. That's why he got so much time for kidnapping and rubbery.
Coolbreezing- It is not so common anywhere now but that doesn't mean it doesn't still exist. The aghori's still exist in India and some of these things still exist but anyway I agree with you that it is not considered "normal" in any of the widely known societies that we all live in.
Usually courts do give certain latitude if some one is being tried for the first time and in O J Simpson's case it happened to be more than once. Anyway hope you had a great time during Christmas. Happy New Year 2009.
Hey! I left a reply for your post on my blog. This is for your info.
Coming back to your article, on Ethics & Morality...seems to be a slice of abuse between two loaves of praise. Ha! Ha! Great work. A great way of putting across your views and at the same time trying hard not to offend anyone. Got to learn something from you, girl. You have the qualities of a good writer. Thumbs up!
As for me, I stopped judging 'good' or 'bad' long time back in my life. I learnt that it's only your perception that makes something good or bad. Seen 'Matrix'? Should watch it if you have not. Bye.
Anjali- I will checkout that blog too. I always feel most of the time when we want to get our view across to the other person then their has to be a bridge(courtesy/understanding) built between two people. If one doesn't have that rapport then later no matter how much logic or reasoning we have the other person is never going to understand our views. Thanks for the encouraging words about me having the qualities of a "good writer". Yes that is a good way not to prejudge anything as that would be a difficult position for us to objectively look at the situation. I have seen matrix all parts but some how not so much into sci fi movies. My brother loves those kind of movies. Bye take care. Thanks for stopping by.
Hello... have a nice day.... to all
I wouldn't call 'Matrix a sci fi movie. It emphasizes more on 'real' and 'unreal' conepts in the world we are living in; this concept is closer to 'Maya Jaal' as per Indian vedic scriptures. You would definitely know what I'm talking.
And yes...I replied to your comment on my page itself. Bye.
Madhu_1981- Thanks Madhu and Happy New Year to everyone.
Anjali- Oh Ok from the view of the material world as Maya it does seem true but then according to Bhagvad Gita soul never ceases to exist unlike in Matrix it can end. But that was a unique way to look at that movie I must discuss this with my brother and see what he has to say. You do have a very creative imagination...hehe
Excellent piece! I totally agree that we need to learn from each other's differences instead of turning it into a 'problem'. Ideally everyone would accept each other, but somehow people feel the need to surround themselves with the familiar. I read your hub on what we should know about you, and you're right when you say traveling is excellent for kids. There is life happening all around us, in different languages, different time zones with different customs and under such different circumstances. Thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing to share your writing!
Ileana- Thanks for so many thank you's. I am really floored with so much praise. Yes I do agree being a military kid I had to move to a lot of places and on top of it my parents used to take us to different places in India. Did you know India has 18 official languages and each of those languages again has many dialects/accents too. It is a very complex place and the only way to understand the range and depth of a country as interesting as India is by traveling the length and breadth of it. I hope you do get to travel to India one of these days. I also studied in US (did my MS here) and it is another unique experience studying with students from all parts of the world. I guess we all at the core are very similar to what we like even if we some times make out ourselves as different from "others". Thanks for stopping by and commenting with those kind words.
how do u judge what is legal? based on govt's decision or based on ur own opinion?
my hub is morally correct even if it is ethically wrong...
well i agree that indians are lacking the ethics but its coz most of them dont care..
thanks & regards
srinath
Srinath- I see that you have deleted my comment because I mentioned that publishing such "licenses" is not supported by Intellectual Property Laws which is practiced even in India. It wasn't my opinion that I was stating in that comment. I apologize if I hurt you in anyway I was just trying to make you aware about such things. Anyway hope you like this hub and it was nice meeting you. Have a good day my friend.
I believe there are some absolute principles but many gray areas as well. At that point it is according to conscience.
Bgamall- I agree in most of the organized societies there are some basic principles and the rest are gray areas. Finally it comes to conscience which is personal to each person. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
At last i reached the comment section after a long laboring scroll down...
i think the topic has gone cold after it erupted....
to start from CW's observation on her friend following the traffic rules, unlike the people in INDIA, i would like to take some offense because all people are not alike, there are people everywhere who always go by the rule....but it can be insane cruel and ruthless at some point of time, given the condition that on what circumstances or grounds one is forced to break the rules....one cannot stop a firefighter team from breaking the traffic rules.....
and if the traffic lights in that part of the world still shows Red even after midnight, you must ask the authorities to put them in 'Stop n Proceed' mode [Blinking Yellow Mode] so that one can reach home when the dinner is still warm CW.... :-D
And the trivial examples of habits like drinking and smoking and affairs....
99.99% people may think like you CW, but to quote your example of traffic rules, its just like giving others' their due space and time and share... Stop, Let them go and then Proceed...it is to maintain ORDER....not about Truth and Belief and Ethos and Ethics...
If a Sentry or Patrol wants to keep the chill in the air away at night, let him light a Cigar...
if a person wants to have an affair before or after marriage and his/her partner doesn't bother, why the hell the world bother about it? :-D
and 'Moral' is a highly hypocritical word by itself coined for some reason by an unethical mind....and one who follows the values don't need to worry about morals...since they are always morally upright, but still the subject of "values" is debatable....it's according to one's perceptions.
And if you still think that what you find morally right is all based on your upbringing, please grow up CW.
give some time for CW to grow up
I like to disagree to your views that Misha is a saintly man, i have never seen a blushing saint :P :D
CW - of course the TRUTH lies somewhere in between Black and White, it could be Grey. So don't try to chase the elusive Truth, your hairs might turn Grey CW :P
hubber-2009 says:
13 months ago
Moral it's what others think about that, ethical is what You think. Always follow your mind, don't be a sheep.