Ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that  generally involves a discussion about what

one ought to do in a particular situation.

Ethical decisions can be difficult, often because conflicts can arise between what
we see as competing principles. For example, if telling the truth, and protecting
other people are important principles, then what would one have done if, to use
an example from World War II, a Nazi had asked you whether you were hiding a
Jew in your attic? Most people would consider that telling the truth would be
wrong in this case. There are always options, but specific cases can be complex
to resolve. 

An important aspect of ethics is that it requires taking the position of an impartial

observer. Self-interest might drive many people's decisions, but this perpsecitve
cannot be universalised. An ethical approach must consider the situation
impartially.

Ethical decisions cannot be a subjective and visceral, 'oh, I don't like that just
because it is wrong'. There should be a universal approach that requires
considered argument. For example, many people might argue against human
cloning because it produces another identical human being. However, it would
that mean that a couple, if through sexual means were to have a baby that was a
genetic clone of say George W Bush, however improbable that would be, should
have the baby aborted. Or that identical twins (with the same mitochondrial DNA),
who are more identical than clones (with different mitochondrial DNA), should not
be permitted?

Many people have different views on voluntary euthanasia. If your view is that you
would never want the option of euthanasia, even if you were terminally ill and
suffering great pain or distress or indignity, then that is your individual choice.
Everybody, well informed, should have the right to make decisions about their
own body. To impose your view on others however, and demand, whether by
physical, emotional, legislative or other means, that other people also adopt your
position, is unethical. An ethical approach requires that if you do not want others
to impose their individual views on you, you should equally not impose your views
on them. If you are heterosexual, then you would probably object to others
imposing, for example, a condition that every adult must try homosexual sex. You
would therefore appreciate the angst that is caused when people impose their
beliefs on others.

Taking the universal, impartial position means that other people have no fewer or
more rights than you. Conflicts should not arise, for example when an individual
makes choices about their own individual lives, such as with issues like abortion,
euthanasia, and consensual sexual activity. However conflicts do arise here, and
it is mainly religions that wish to dictate how other people should live their lives.
Any religious or personal view that claims that 'my view about what you should do
is more important than your view about you', is an unethical situation, because it
gives another's views primacy over one's own views. Throughout history, when
people have disagreed on this point, conflict results, and wars have occurred.

President Barack Obama, when a Senator, recognised this universal nature of

ethics. He said “Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than
religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to
abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my
church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths,
including those with no faith at all.” [quoted in http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communitarian/obama-warren.htm].

Barack Obama recognised this religious problem, because at a fundamental level,

religion usually does not allow for compromise. Religious leaders consider their
views right regardless of evidence, alternative positions, or whether the
outcomes are desirable. This must change if the world is to be a better place.
Governments must take the lead to ensure that there is freedom of religion, and
therefore no punishments for not following particular religions, as well as a 

Ethics is also about how people should live a good life, referred to in The Bible as
living a fulfilling and ethically good life. An ethical approach might not give 'right'
answers, but it can provide some principles and guidelines that will help us live
our lives.

Human Rights
There are many rights that humans should enjoy, such as the freedom of thought,
life, liberty, as well as freedom of religion, and rights to good health care and
education. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted in a post
World War II era, when gender bias still occurred, indigenous people issues were
under the radar, and logical conclusions from ethical analysis were still prevented
from being acted upon, mainly as a result of religious influence. As religious
influence has decreased, it is clear that  some rights, such as an individual's
right to die with dignity (euthanasia), the right to not have religions imposed on
people (a freedom of religion that does not involve punishments for not
observance of a religion), the right not to be discriminated against (on any
characteristic by any organisation), the right to freedom of choice for children in
religious instruction (not being indoctrinated in a religion when they are young),
the right to have one's body protected as a child (banning male circumcision and
female genital mutilation), and many others. Governments must take the lead to
ensure that there is rights are upheld, but it is people who elect governments, and
they must make the first move. 

It is these hidden rights, often neglected by religions, governments and other

organisations, that this website will make special efforts to support. Government
and religious leaders must appreciate that if they do not want others to tell them
what to do in their individual lives, they should not demand that others live their
lives according to their religious scriptures. For many groups that would be
arrogant and hypocritical

Ethical thinking and upholding human rights: a good recipe for a better world.