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I am leacing for college soon, and my college sent me this book to read called "In Search of Ethics" by Len Marrella. In it, it discussed the rapid decline of Ethics and Morals in America. The numbers that it discussed were fascinating. The thesis of the author was, "Has there been and is there still a decline or absence of ethics in today's society?" What do all you guys think about this, especially you old-timers out there!!!! lol
NOBODY WANTS TO TALK TO ME ANYMORE.
Come on now, I am 18 so I have no idea about the ethics of the 60's, 70's, 80's, or even the 90's. Whenever I am around the elderly all they ever talk about is "back in the day". It annoyed me then, but I want it now. Please, OPINIONS PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111
Well ok. if you're going to beg lol!
I really don't know much about the ethics of particular decades but I would certainly agree that there is a steady decline in general morality.
In particular, feelings like these seem to reflect modern ethics
1. If no one knows it would hurt anybody
2. I can do what I want as long as I don't get cough
3. Stealing a couple of little things won't hurt this huge company
I read about an interesting study done with children who play video games. Aparently, the part of your brain associated with ethics is the frontal lobe and researchers found children who watch a lot of tv or play alot of video games tend to have underdeveloped frontal lobes. This leads to shortages in attentions span and anti-social behaviors. I wish I could remember the name of it, it may be something you'd want to look up.
It's interesting you college would suggest you read this book. Have they had a lot of problems with cheating?
Anyways, in my humble opinion I think people should develop their own sense of ethics and responsibily and realize doing the right thing is a good thing in and of itself.
Chrissy
In Ancient Greece old men complained about the lack of respect and ethics. In Medieval times the Church complained about the lack of respect and ethics. In the Renaissance the Church complained even more. Around 1820 the great writers Shelley and Byron had to run and hide because of their lack of respect and ethics. In the year 2525 some grumpy old man will say that those teenagers lack respect and ethics.
Complaints like that show nothing more than the change of society and some people seem to have a hard time handling that. Youth rebels. And parents think the world will crumble and fall. In the 60s and 70s hippies would change the world. Today those hippies rule the largest companies in the world. Things change, but they change slowly.
Are you by chance attending a bible college of some sort? (that would explain the book recommendation). I strongly agree that the morals of America are definitely declining, nonexistent in most cases. The world generally takes a view of I'll do what I want now, and I'll make up for it later. What they don't realize is that the later will never come if they keep saying that. Also, the formation of morals/ethics is a highly personal journey, I believe. With the whole world telling you "do what feels good", it's hard to form your own opinions of what's right and wrong, black and white. Everything somehow ends up being influenced by secular and worldly. Just from hearing my grandparents and parents talk, there is definitely more tolerance today than "back in the day". That tolerance keeps getting pushed and pushed, and pretty soon anything will go. The thing that gets me the most is this idea that the world has that random, casual sex is okay, in fact that it's perfectly normal and you're prudish if you don't do it. Not that many years ago, people actually respected each other when they dated, and tried to form an actual relationship instead of a purely physical one in which both are used and neither cares.
About casual sex you have to consider a few things. The pill changed the way people felt about sex because it gave freedom from pregnancy. The womens movement also allowed women to be in control of their sexual relationships I wouldn't considered casual sex being a decline in morality, I'd say it reflects a change.
Well, they are making me read the book because the entire school is built on an Honor Code. One may not lie,cheat,steal, or tolerate those that do. Without a strong ethical background, one might have a hard time upholding these code expectations. By the way, I am going to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. That will explain a lot in itself.
You got into West Point right out of high school?! Let me be the first to say congrats!
decline in ethics....
sorry but where i live ethics has never been appreciated much.
Thank you for the congrats. It has been very hectic lately since I found out, but I leave tommorrow, so I will not be able to post on this forum for at least two more months, due to basic training. So see you all later.
Situational Ethics! -enough said.
worst: Post-modernism!
Quote:
Originally Posted by apstudent
I don't think any of you have a clue about the difference between an ethic and a moral. A moral states it is wrong to kill, and we will all, hopefully, adhere to that code. An ethic will debate the issue: Is abortion the same as euthanasia? Most of you are merely rabbiting on about culture. If these are the values of an American education, for I am supposing most of you have attended university, then God help us, as Science will walk all over us!
Someone sounds like he isn't having a good time.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaScouser
DaScouse
We're not all Americans here and we're not discussing morals vs ethics. Please feel free to voice your opinions on the topics suggested, but if you feel the need to make yourself feel superior by putting down other people's education or intellegence I don't think anyone cares to hear from you.
If you have the capacity for independent thought, you won't need to focus on other's inadequecies.