In the world today, the terms morality, and ethics are used as hype words when describing the actions of others. It is because of this intermingled usage of these words across multimedia that their definitions have been somewhat distorted. For example, let us look at the clichéd expression, “it is okay to do the wrong thing for the right reason” Upon examination, if we look carefully, we can see that there is an assumed or agreed upon absolute in regards to what is “wrong” and what is “right” in this phrase. This begs the question, how does one determine their perspective lens of “right” and “wrong”.
To begin with, it can be said that ethics is a constantly evolving state of our beliefs which generates our ability to discern right from wrong. Additionally, morality can be defined as, a set of current notions which are derived from one’s personal standard of ethics that should be reflected in one’s actions. In the book of Genesis chapters two and three, where we learn of the fall of mankind, it can be argued that this is when humanistic ethics entered into the world challenging the heavenly ethics of God Almighty our Creator. Since this time, a significant number of theories have attempted to explain our existence as humans, and what our greater purpose is under the umbrella of reasoning ethics through the perspective of humanity. Interestingly enough, many of these theories hold half truths, while neglecting to include God’s Holy Word.
All in all, ethics and morality go hand-in-hand because as we go through the process of life we grow in knowledge. The fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit are present (and presents) for us to help one another when the humanistic ethics of this world challenge us to live free from God’s ethics. “When society cannot find a consensus on which to make laws governing the conduct of the media, we hope that individual ethics will prevail”(Straubaar, Larose and Davenport 473). This is why God created us with individuality, and blessed us with unique gifts that aid our perspectives on Him. Ultimately, we can focus on one another, but only while putting God first because His “governing” is the only truth we need to follow through faith.
Works Cited
Straubaar, Joseph, obert Larose and Lucinda Davenport. Media Now, Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. Boston,MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012.
