TED Conversations

Leslie Lox

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Ethics in lieu of a better idea

Consider that our society hasn’t worked out as well as we had hoped in spite of our hard work and accomplishments. Worse we seem locked into a method that appears to be not the best nor wisest road for us. In a worst case scenario the smartest businessman; the most skillful builder or architect would scrap a project with so many deficiencies and start over. Those options would render our circumstances bleak and discouraging if not terminal.

“The sun will come out tomorrow …” however. Consider also that of the 7 billion people on our planet 6 1/2 billion profess to a religion or philosophy or better - ethics. Ethics is the thread that weaves its way through all religion and philosophy making them common to us and each other. That said it could only be an ethical strategy or mandate that possesses the elements essential to ignite society’s true potential. It is an option worth considering in a world bewildered, confused and wanting for solutions

Related Talks:
Topics: business ethics ethics global affairs god and politics national politics religion
0
Share:
progress indicator

  • Random Chance 30+

    • 0
    May 21 2012: Is there One who has all power?
    Yes? or No?
    Is that One, God?
    Yes? or No?
    If it is 'yes',
    Then God is evil power too, and as far as I can tell, has not practiced anything even close to ethical behavior, especially for a God!

    Let's create a just system for living, that reduces or even eliminates reasons to be unethical, because as long as we have an unjust system (that cannot be 'made just' or fixed), ethics will be proselytized but not observed, particularly by those who claim to honor, uphold and obey them. We have enough documented Truth about that for at least 2,000 years, particularly as claimed by those who are religious, ethical and moral. They have been anything but.

    Until we are really willing to eradicate reasons for dishonest, unethical, so-called immoral behavior, we are only talking for the sake of "whistling our way past the graveyard whilst in the dark" and afraid.
  • thumb

    Gurinder Ahluwalia 10+

    • 0
    May 16 2012: I see no problem with the world. We the 7 billion people strive everyday to live with each other, don't we? Sikhism is a new religion founded in 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev. Sikhism preaches that everyone is equal & one need not change her/his religion,or have a religion at all, but all of us must strive to live together happily. When Sikhism was in its initial phase India was under Islamic rule. The rulers carried out all sorts of atrocities on Sikhs but there is nothing against Islam in Sikh scriptures. Current Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh is a Sikh. Therefore we need not look at our differences because we have common Earth to live and shared destiny. The foremost ethic for humanity is to respect & love each other.

  • Comment deleted

  • thumb

    Peter Law 30+

    • 0
    May 15 2012: Jesus said that he who would be first in God's Kingdom must be the servant of all. He also stated that in order to fulfil all the commands of God we must 1) Love God, & 2) Love one another. So, let's see. 33% of the world population is Christian & 20% Muslim (who also respect Jesus); so what's the problem? I can sell my house & my two cars, buy a truckload of food & head for Africa. If only....... I'm a selfish hypocrite. My idea of righteousness is like filthy rags to Jesus. No wonder the world's in a mess.

    :-)
  • thumb

    R H 20+

    • 0
    May 15 2012: Aristotle wrote about ethics about 2500 years ago, and as you say, many religions since have ethics 'weaved' through their teachings. Yet, with all of these we've been unable to turn this knowledge into mass results. Although many have tried, and many era's have thought the theirs could be the era of ethical consideration and peace, my hope is that finally now with our mass communication, education, research expertise, and the 'shrinking' of our world with it's resulting cultural understandings that we may finally be on the verge of real change in our regard for one another. The millenial study of 'ethics' may finally have an opportunity for real fruition because there are no secrets anymore. What we do is now known to all, and all are evaluating what we've done and the impact we've had.

  • Comment deleted

    • thumb

      edward long 100+

      • 0
      May 16 2012: Your opinion of my opinion is not relevant. Simply state your opinion as it relates to the issue posted. We all will state ours and we will have a civil discussion. Your task is to defend your assertions, not to attack mine. Please.

      • Comment deleted

        • thumb

          edward long 100+

          • 0
          May 16 2012: Your contributions seem to be primarily subjective, unfounded opionions about the error and lack of validity of my contributions. I am seeking refuge from your apparent belief that you are the thought police responsible for keeping me from free expression of my convictions. Can't you allow free exchange of ideas relevant to the posted question? Please. Thank you.
  • thumb

    edward long 100+

    • +1
    May 14 2012: Decent ethical behavior is not in lieu of a better idea, it is a better idea. From the heart comes the personal standard of behavior and interaction with others, aka ethics. From a corrupt, depraved heart comes corrupt, depraved behavior. The problem is not needing to know how we ought to treat one another, the problem is actually, and consistently treating one another the way way we know we ought to. Each of us must respond to Jesus' demand that we must be born again. We need a new heart, a new ethic. To make the world a better place we must stop ignoring God. We must humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways, seek His face, and pray. The Holy Bible has the plan.

    • Comment deleted

      • Comment deleted

      • Comment deleted

Showing all 10 comments