We are all given a basic idea of right and wrong as we grow up. It starts when we are childern, whether its from religion, fairy tales, or even just our parents admonishments, by the time we are 10 years old we all have a pretty large understanding of what is right and what is wrong. However, as we enter into adulthood, we all equally realize that, although our childhood ideas are mostly valid, they are far from complete. As an adult then, how are we to know what to do in morally challenging situations? Some will follow the path of religion. Others will try to emulate their favorite celebrity/movement and undertand how to act from them. But all of these people have the issue of not really understanding what they're doing. Whether it's Jesus or Kendrick someone is taking their queues from, they ultimately can only follow almost thoughtlessly, since they often don't have the time or even the interest to understand the things they are told. Thats fine for many people. Yet for those who need a deeper knowledge of how to act the only real solution is concious reflection. If I were to define it, it is a type of reflection which leads to a greater understanding of how one's own life affects others. This is the best way to understand how to act in relation to other people.
Concious reflection begins with the questioning of the basis of one's moral beliefs. Is it really right to be truthful all the time? Is it really best to not drink alcohol? Is fighting/arguing in public shameful? Some who start asking these questions will not be strong enough to reason to the end. They will get stuck at 'maybe I don't need to care about the truth' and become a manipulative/dishonest person. Others will decide that it is only imprtant for others to follow moral codes but that they themselves don't need to. But for those who can think through the problems of how to relate with other human beings in a good way, they will see that, while the absolutes of childhood are often wrong, there are many important rules that people should respect when dealing with fellow human beings. However, each person who can has to answer this for themselves. One can learn to chant in church or take to heart the lyrics of any rap song, but it is only those who have a personal understanding of these things that will be capable of useful human relationships.
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Self reflection is definetly needed in life, as quoted by Socrates, "an unexamined life, is not worth living"
Personal moral codes, is pretty much how we all live, we are told, not to hit, not to lie, not to steal and to share. Yet in our later lives, it appears that we are hit, stolen from, and lied too by The government and the people in power and are often forced to share.
I believe it is this duality of belief that causes many of the stress in our life now, that causes people to strike out violently.
thanks for doing this post, it has really been very helpful. usually i have conflicting views when it comes to moral challenging situation for i believe i would have no choice but to do what i think is right at that point in time not really caring if its morally seen as a justifiable action or not . i really think we should talk more extensively on this topics because most times i would rather be blind to certain things and not have to worry about doing the right thing or not. i just feel like yes sometimes its good to consider others but in some cases you rather put yourself first. i can be selfless and so can you but we are all humans and can handle very little. this is my view and open to opinions