The Difference between Right and Wrong - Essay Example

In the current competitive and dynamic world, it is very hard to define the boundary between right and wrong. In deed, the definition of what is right and what is wrong varies with so many factors. That which is morally right in a given culture may be an absolute wrong in a different culture. Thus, different cultures rate acts of rightness in variant ways. That which is generally acceptable among the new generation might be a taboo in the old generation. As such, different generations define right and wrong differently and thus contradictions are certain in definitions.

Another significant difference in defining the boundary between right and wrong is religion. Some of the acts regarded as morally right are condemned in other religions depending on specific religious teachings. Islam and Christianity regularly contradict in matters of morality. Additionally, some political acts like dictatorship condoned in the developing countries will face condemnation in equal measure in the developed countries. Philosophers introduce moral dilemmas to disprove moral absolutes.

They will say that lying is not necessary wrong in all circumstances as it may be important in certain situations. Similarly, disagreements on various moral crimes like abortion leave us wondering if such moral crimes are right or wrong. Many theories, counter theories, and studies are considerably trying to differentiate right and wrong in different contexts. However, no such theories draw an absolute line between right and wrong. . An infant will also take a lot of concern on a meal shared unequally.

This shows that the infant knows that fairness and equality are right attributes (Daily mail reporter, Web). Moral dilemmas as manifested by certain philosophers, give us a leeway to choose the greater good when moral absoluteness is not certain. In a situation where telling the truth would lender some innocent people to death, it would only be logical to lie and save their lives. However, this does not deny the fact that lying is wrong. Indeed, Cleeve argued that exchanging a false morality for no morality is not a right.

This is because moral virtues and vices dictate that certain things are right while others are wrong. Rationalists like Socrates and Immanuel Kant, argue that intellect should prevail in differentiating right and wrong. However, Sentimentalists like David Hume, argue that emotions should prevail in making moral decisions. Greene on the other hand combines reason and emotion in making a moral decision (Saalfield, Web). However, it is factual that reasoning does not amount to an absolute decision on whether an act is right or wrong.

In a situation where sacrificing one innocent person to save the lives of five persons, reasoning is not enough to define what is right to do. Moreover, the knowledge of what is morally right will make you understand the need to respect every individual’s life. Some people are moral relativists who believe that what is right for one person is not necessarily right for another. There is also a tendency of thinking something is wrong and assuming that everybody views it as wrong. This is because we could be logically wrong in arriving at moral decision.

In fact what is right or wrong to an individual, does not