Ethics

Morality can be defined as what is right and wrong.
It is said to be the basic premise for what we base plenty of our actions on.  It is "above" us whether it is considered by our laws or not.  Of course murder and theft are examples that are considered by our laws but morality is an abstract law, in a sense, that we all live under.

Through reviewing this weeks readings I have examined the six different theories examinging ethics as they explain the different ways of identifying morals and moral beliefs.  I mostly agree with Hume and Rousseau's standpoint on the matter of that morality is essentially a matter of feeling.  We interpret our morals based on our feelings of killing for example.  Regarding this theory I have an adjustment to be made with this perspective.  I believe most, if not all morals are instilled in us, that is, we are born with them.  I understand this is a bold stance to make but I firmly believe this as I allow faith as my backup on this point.  Is it naive of me to think that there is an inherent good in everyone? I do believe we all are born knowing this premise of right and wrong.  Regarding the "tablets of virtue" inscribed by God, the Ten Commandments, I believe they justified not because they are that of a holy authority figure but because they are right.  We are born with that innate conscience. If you want to take the Christianity standpoint on the matter I would say, yes-God created the commandments because they are right. Not, God created them therefore they are right. 

My personal theory on ethics is this: Most, if not all morals are innate.  I believe we are all born knowing what is right and wrong. It is however our decision on what we plan to do with this instilled knowledge and do we listen to our conscious or not.  This principle ties in with the ethics proposed by Artistotle when we said that virtues allow us to "control our feelings and act rationally."