Morals & Ethics

If we go with the book’s definition of consequentialism, it says an action is judged by its outcome, i.e. if the result is good, then the action was ethical and vice versa. This means the future will decide whether I was ethical; if this is the case, what parameters do we have in the present which will justify our actions in the future when we know that the future is unpredictable? Whatever I will do today has an equal probability of turning ethical or unethical in the future. So, the entire concept of consequentialism lies in the grey area, and those who follow this theory will remain confused for their entire lifetime.

Our today’s action is decided upon the present conditions, circumstances, knowledge level and existing moral and ethical codes of conduct. Therefore, even if we make our actions ethical within the current boundaries, there is a chance that the result will turn out to be unethical. I want to add a verse of the Gita here. The verse says that we have control over our actions only; we can only decide whether we want to do it or not, but the result or outcome is never in our hands, so we must not be bothered about it. When in doubt, apply this knowledge and judge the action you are doing today; if you feel satisfied with it, then go for it and leave what the result will turn out.

Morals and ethics are defined keeping in mind the greater good for a large part of the population. “Greater good” and “Large part of the population” means that neither the good is in totality nor will the entire population benefit. It is an assumption that the majority of the time, when actions are taken within the boundaries of morals and ethics, then the outcome is good (probably). Instead, morals and ethics are no more than some commonly believed perspectives which change with the change in demographics.

Suppose the outcome is turning good by doing unethical work or actions. In that case, we have to analyse the conditions which are different in this particular case, which is giving a positive outcome. There could be many situations where positive work results in bad outcomes and vice versa, and these cases give birth to paradoxes. While doing unethical work in the hope of a positive outcome, we seek a reason which differs from the previous conditions, and we believe that this reason can turn the bad into good. If we get the reason, then within ourselves, we know that we were ethical in our conduct, and in that case, we should not be bothered to justify our reason to anybody. We all are free to have our perspective, and the defined moralities and ethics may guide you in forming your perspective, but they must not overpower you to take action according to them only. Act according to your perspective; your definitions should be ethical and moral.

Be Happy and Keep Smiling!!!