My Ethical Beliefs in the Light of Popular Ethical Theories

It is certainly of convenience to meditate on ones honorable beliefs in the light of popular estimable theories such(prenominal) as the awesome overlord Command system, which grounds my estimable principles in godly thought the simplistic Ethical self-esteem surmise, which each(prenominal)ows my (Freudian) Id-based, self-interests to dictate my behavior in all situations and the Utilitarian Theory, which restrains me to rethink in terms of the long-term good of all people in connection with my personal and/or pontential business practices. I cogitate that my good concerns rest on a variety of ethical theories. This belief is founded on the assumption that mans mind and intentions be perhaps similarly complex to be netherstood by means of one ethical theory alone.This is the reason why philosophers dupe established an entire discipline to prove the mind and intentions of man. The ethical-philosophical area that fascinates me near, however, is one of reason. I trust my ethical concerns to rest on reason. Apart from the above mentioned theories, therefore, I give observed myself trusting in the Categorical Imperative Theory of Kant at quantify, the Rights Theory at other times, and the Virtue Theory to boot but, all in different situations concerned with ethical thought. Is it possible for man to ever do away with ethics? And, do I consciously choose which theory of ethics to apply in situations that grouse for my ethical principles to suddenly become a focus of attention?I conceive that ethics are a component of virtually all situations of man, not just ethical issues that are manifest to all. From sustainable food consumption to the culture of clo matter ethical theories apply in almost all benignant situations. Only when the individual is of late asleep in bed, or in deep meditation perhaps, do ethical concerns comfortably vanish into thin air. Which ethical theories do I trust at the time I wake up each day? Although I have varied reas ons to believe in the ethical theories mentioned above, the only theory that neverleaves my mind is that of applying reason to all situations that require my ethical concerns to come in the light of my mind.Reason appears before I define whether idol would approve of a certain action of mine, or whether smoking another cigarette with my friends would truly serve my interests, etc. No doubt, all ethical theories chat for reason to be applied before the theories themselves can be applied by an individual. The theory that I could apply most easily to all my situations, but only after applying reason, is the Divine Command Theory. I believe that this particular theory incorporates the remaining ethical theories mentioned in this paper as well. divinitys commands are often synonymous to all that should be good in our world. Based on an interpretation of the Bible, my own interests should be beau ideals interests, and the interests of my brothers and sisters (all people) should in ad dition be my short term and long term interests. Moreover, paragons commands automatically include the concept of Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I must be wishing my business associates and other, well. I must be loving my neighbor as I love myself.The Rights Theory and the Virtue Theory must needs be incorporated as well into the Divine Command Theory, seeing that God calls for His vicegerents to protect His sheep (that is, the establishment should protect the rights of the people, as in the Rights Theory) and He also calls for the teaching of virtues to all people, young and old, and these virtues consist of justice, honesty, goodness, etc. The virtues taught by the Divine Command Theory also incorporate kindness, compassion, love, and mercy concepts that are essential to being human, but are not touched upon by most ethical theories outside the realm of God.The question that automatically emerges is What are Gods commands? Do they depend upon our whims, or are they based upon a single holy book? The answers to these questions arecomplicated in my case, given that I believe in various interpretations of divine commands that may or may not be mainstream Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu. I have learned more than from books than from family and my community, which happen to be the main sources of socialization for most people. This sociological theory has important underpinnings in ethical beliefs, seeing that we learn ethics and principles from the sources of information that endure around us. I also believe that we learn from a personal source of information, the God of Aristotle and Sir Thomas Aquinas, and therefore, it is important to know books of revelation to learn Gods commands and apply reason to apply the commands of God from myriad scriptures.Now, of course, there are a large number of scriptures that may be called forth to image the commands of God. Are the illustrious Ten Commandments the only commands, or should I al so believe in the New Testament and the Quran? Did Buddha leave any godly commands in the form of scriptures? Such are the questions I have had to answer in my evolving understanding of Gods commands, even though there is a deep source of information that still exists and tells me what is right and wrong from the Highest Source. Call it conscience I believe that morality is knowing right from wrong, in the view of everybody including myself and God. What pleases God and also pleases society must certainly please me.What else are my beliefs in light of the Divine Command Theory, which, in my opinion, should incorporate the remainder of the ethical theories mentioned in this paper, and many more theories analogous so. I believe that God is a synonym for the Good that Plato had referred to. At the same time, it is quite possible that my interpretation of the Divine Command Theory would be different from the interpretation of another soul. After all, my understanding of God and His co mmands is different from the understanding of another soul. I believe in many scriptures atthe same time additionally, I feel confident that they come from the same Source. I have learned about God in a separate way altogether. I do not necessarily trust all peoples doctrines. Moreover, I do not compel anybody else to believe in what I believe in.Does this mean that I could easily run into ethical conflicts with people? Yes. However, it does not bother me, provided that I understand that their ethical principles are different from mine, and based on separate ethical theories altogether. Once again, reason comes to the rescue. Without reason, I, too, would perhaps become as intolerant as the racists and the terrorists (extreme racists) who cannot tolerate the differences in beliefs among people. I know that God calls for such allowance account among the children of Adam.Therefore, when extremism (or, extreme racism) leads to bloodshed among people, and those that are responsible fo r the chaos throw the responsibility back on God by saying that such acts were committed in the name of God it is extremely sad and absurd at the same time. It is sad because the intolerant phratry have not understood Gods message of love and tolerance, even if they think that they are killing in the name of God, who is Love.On the other hand, it is funny because they are doing the direct opposite of what they intend to do. That is why it is of central importance to understand ones ethical principles, and keep on understanding and amend upon them throughout ones lifetime. Furthermore, it is essential to align ones behavior with ones ethical principles. By saying one thing and doing something else, people can prove to be quite inconsistent and unreliable, if not dangerous to the extent of terrorism and other forms of psychopathy.I believe that ethics call for tolerance and good citizenship, and wherever Gods name is mentioned, as in the U.S. Constitution, there should be peace. F or the state, therefore, the Divine Command Theory mandates peace. For business in general, and for the sparing at large, theDivine Command Theory entails distribution of wealth with a focus on income generation, economic growth, and prosperous living. In personal life, I have found this theory to be most appropriate because it does not limit me to one theory.Nevertheless, I have one God, like the Christians and the Jews. In addition, it is advantageous to me that I do not always have to think about myself and my own interests when the responsibility or the task at hand demands me to sacrifice my interests, at times, for the turn a profit of society in general. Ultimately, I may realize that by serving society at the expense of sacrificing my own interests at times, I serve myself better. I may become a happier person by serving society, and I may also increase in wealth. God would be pleased with me. What is most important, still, is the fact that I would be a peaceful person by being aligned with the interests of God, society, and myself.Naturally, in order to align my activities and behavior with the interests of God, society, and myself I have to think before I leap. It is of the essence for me to meditate on information that I gather from a huge variety of sources, including books, my professors, friends, parents, etc. After entrancing the information thus gathered, I enjoy applying the Divine Command Theory to get to the depths of situations that often get me to think in terms of the other ethical theories as well.There are times when self-interests blueprint my ethical principles, or I think only in terms of the virtues of justice, integrity, trustworthiness, etc. However, if I were to base my activities exclusively on the Id-based Ethical Egoism Theory, for example, I would perhaps indulge in jerry-built thinking, which would eventually be responsible for behavior on my part that is misleading unto others. I am confident that the ethics of briber y in business rest in the appropriate or inappropriate use of the Ethical Egoism Theory. The CEO of Enron, and many other corrupt businessmen in modern times, have equally shown extreme self-interest in theirbusiness situations. In my case, such extreme use of the Ethical Egoism Theory would never occur because I rest my principles on divine commands. Honesty, in my case, is a virtue of necessity.Thus, I would only apply the Ethical Egoism Theory within the framework of the Divine Command Theory when the situation calls for nothing else except self-interest as a driving force for ethical behavior. Also, in my case, self-interest would also translate into the good pleasure of God the long term interests of society (as in the Utilitarian Theory) Kants Categorical Imperative or doing unto others as I want others do unto me obedience to the government in dispel for which I run into protection of my rights, as in the Rights Theory and honesty, justice, etc., in light of the theory of V irtue.In the Kingdom of God or the businessman who applies the Divine Command Theory to rule his ethical behavior the Rights Theory occupies a very interesting place, indeed. The Rights Theory asks for the government to protect my rights. In return for this favor, I show obedience to the government by following the laws in general. The businessperson who follows the same laws of the government would not cheat the government as did the Enron CEO. Neither would such a businessperson return the favor of the government by cheating the investors of his or her company.If a former U.S. Senator were to accept a Rolex from a constituent, the Divine Command Theory would not call this behavior unethical if the Rolex were a gift. If the former CEO of Tyco were to use company bonuses to host a lavish party for his wife, I would consider it unethical under the Divine Command Theory, seeing that God never asked us to usurp the rights of many people in favor of a few. Lifting verbatim a news rep ort and presenting it as ones own is similarly unethical. Being messaged the answers to exam questions during an examination isunethical to boot.As far as downloading music without paying a fee is concerned, I would not consider it unethical so long as it serves the interests of society in the long run. I do not believe that downloading free music off the Internet serves to put the music industry down. There are countless people around the world who still do download free music off the Internet, because they do not enjoy the quality of that music as compared to hardy CDs that music shops would like to sell. Besides, they do not appreciate yet the technology behind free music and the IPod. So, even though this ethical issue appears complicated to a huge number of people, I believe that it is simple to understand in the light of Divine Command Theory.I do not think that God would like students to behave financial hardships because of their love of music. Hence, it is perfectly ethica l, in my opinion, to enjoy free music off the Internet on IPods for those who would like to miss out on the quality of CDs from BMG, Sony, etc. Likewise, choosing between ethical theories is always a sacrifice. Hence, I apply reason to believe that the Divine Command Theory must incorporate all necessary ethical theories for me to conduct myself as a good human being, businessperson, and citizen of my nation. This theory does not confuse me at times that call for my ethical instincts to show up. I believe in God, and in service to humanity.Additionally, I do not discriminate between black or white, Chinese or Hindu. At times when people are engaging in what I believe to be incorrect behaviors, I do not intervene unless my self-interests as well as the pleasure of God are at sacrifice. At all times, however, I have kept to reason as the force that leads me to apply the Divine Command Theory, which I believe to be most trustworthy.