Ethics as the Most Important Aspect of the Society - Essay Example

Final Argumentative Paper – Ethics and Number Teacher’s December 6, This is my final argumentative paper and it is being written with a view point to provide detailed argument on the selected topic. From the list of topics, I have selected Ethics to write on. I selected this topic because I have thought of this issue many times previously on my own and can debate on this topic in a better way as compared to other topics. While writing on this topic, I will try to shed light on various aspects such as what can be the best ethical system that one should follow, why we should follow certain rules to be known as ethical person, what are those rules, how we can achieve a good living standard by following certain rules, are there any means through which we can learn ethics or one is by born ethical, how can we judge someone that he or she is ethically bad, is there any importance of ethical rules in our society, and last but not the least that how ethics are directly or indirectly related to make any one a responsible human being. In the end, I would summarize all these concepts in a thought provoking way so that the readers should get the most out of this paper. Ethics Ethics sounds great when said, but it becomes really a hard nut to crack when we are asked to follow ethical rules. Have we ever thought what this word means? Have we ever given at least half an hour from our entire day to think on this? Those with No’s should read this paper with absolute concentration and those with Yes should give a pat on their backs as well as go through this paper to answer their doubts regarding this topic. In my views Ethics is the inner voice of any person. It is the feeling or capability of any one to differentiate between good and bad deeds in an efficient manner. It is not a man who is good or bad, it is his ethics that makes him so. If a person possesses good qualities, then he is ethically good and vice versa. If it is all about Ethics, then there comes the question that what is the best and most convincing ethical system that one should follow? Now, here I would like to slightly merge another topic from the list and that is Religion. When it comes to define the most substantial ethical system then except Religion there is no best way to select that. Therefore, Ethics are somewhat related to one’s Religion either directly or indirectly. If we closely observe and study different Religions in our society, then we can find none who is against Honesty, Love, Trust, Happiness, Help of Mankind, and so on. Naturally, all human beings love to be loved, like truth in all kinds of scenarios, try to help others in every possible way they can, and want to live a happy life till they die. Hence, to find out the best ethical system for our society, I guess one should follow all the fundamentals of his or her Religion. It is not about Christianity, it is not about being Jewish, it is not an issue if you are a Muslim, and so on. The point of focus is just that whoever you are; just try to follow the guidelines of your own Religion and that is it! After finding the best and most convincing ethical system for our society, let us move towards the next part and that is, need of a universal ethical system. Definitely, whatever ethical system we select, it is very important that everyone should agree to follow that. Only then we can develop this sense in people to draw a line between good and bad Ethics. Like, take an example of our traffic system. We all follow a universal rule of red, yellow, and green lights. We all know and accept that red light means you should stop, yellow light means get ready to move on and green light means you can go. On the other hand, if we all would have not accepted these rules, then what would happen? Everyone might have their own meanings for these lights and we could end up in severe accidents and deaths. Similarly, when it comes to follow ethical rules, then there should be a universal ethical system for everyone to follow. Now let us explore that what are the basic principles of Ethics? Since, I stated earlier that Ethics is somehow related to one’s Religion. Despite of the differences in all Religions, there are many similarities too and in my views those similarities are the basic principles of Ethics. Some of these rules are as follows: Honesty Peace Brotherhood Love Punctuality If we keep on following these rules, then surely we will be considered as a highly ethical person in this society because on the whole the entire society accepts these traits as good ones. Once we have agreed upon the most convenient ethical system and all its nitty-gritties rules, then we need to follow these guide lines to make our lives simple and happy. By following these, we can certainly differentiate between a good and bad life. Definitely a good life is that in which we can enjoy each every bit of its colors and truly feel happiness around ourselves. When we are contented and living joyous life then it means we are living a good life. But wait a moment, try to think on this point with little observation and you will agree to the fact that a satisfied life is a good life. One can only be gratified and pleased, if and only if he or she is following the ethical rules. Let us consider an example here. Suppose you are waiting in a tube station and an old lady with her handbag is also there. You can feel that the lady is rich and must have enough money in her handbag. All of a sudden, she stood up and starts walking. Since, she looked tensed and in hurry therefore she he has forgotten to pick her bag. What would you do at that very moment? Now this is the point of debate. If you picked the bag and took it straight to the old lady, then that shows your good ethics. But if you do otherwise, and stole all her money, then that shows your bad ethics. Whatever you do, it reveals your Ethics. Now the point is, from the stolen money you can buy yourself whatever you want but not satisfaction for sure. Therefore, I must say that if you have good ethics then you must be living a satisfied life, indirectly a good life. Here comes another point of debate and that is, are there any means through which we can learn how to be ethical? or a person is ethical by nature? Well, it is neither true nor untrue. Some traits in humans are by birth but some are acquired from our society, our teaching institutes, our friends, and so on. In my point of view, anyone’s personality is a blend of both kinds of traits. In fact, what I think, we inherit the basic rules like be honest, be humble, be nice, and so on from our parents and we just learn how to practice or follow these rules from our society. So the thing is good ethics are there in everyone’s nature and we can only learn how to follow them in an organized manner. Continuing the concept of good and bad life, like good life, one can easily identify the bad life as well. Since, a good life is that in which we are satisfied and contented in all our dealings. Just like that, a bad life is full of wrong deeds and bad ethics. How can one be happy or self-satisfied if he or she keeps on performing false deeds? Hence, an unsatisfied and ethically deprived life is a bad life indeed. Now if we bend the discussion towards human beings, then how can they judge what is good or bad in the realm of Ethics? Referring to the same traffic signals examples stated above, we know very well what the different colors of traffic lights means. Also, we are well aware that rules are to follow. Those who follow rules are ethically good and those who do not are people with bad ethics. Now is there anyone who can say that these traffic rules did not mean anything therefore, we should not follow them? Definitely, not! There is not even a single person who thinks like that. In fact people know that these rules are made for their own safety and those who follow them strictly are ethically good. Therefore, anyone who possesses even a little knowledge regarding ethics can very well differentiate between good and bad ethics. Ethics are the most important aspect of any society. Besides the outcomes of ethical actions, the good ethics are truly valued all over the world. No matter wherever you go, you should possess good ethics in yourself. Being humans, we are free to choose between good and bad ethics but again the point is the better we live, the better we choose. Finally, I would like to end up my argumentative paper with a thought that your ethics reveals your character. So, everyone should think on this issue and try to follow the ethical rules to lead a happy and successful life. Happy thinking! References Fisman and Adam Galinsky. (2012). Can You Train Business School Students To Be Ethical? Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_dismal_science/2012/09/business_school_and_ethics_can_we_train_mbas_to_do_the_right_thing_.html (2012). Ethics Updates – Aristotle and Virtue Ethics. Retrieved from http://ethics.sandiego.edu/theories/Aristotle/index.asp (2010). What is Ethics? Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html James Fieser. (2003). Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/ Ethical Decision Making. Retrieved from http://www.ethics.org.au/content/ethical-decision-making Read More