On Ethics

What about ethics? Well, ethics is a broad topic to cover. There are many different angles it can be approached from, many different ways it affects our lives and the lives of others. But at its core, ethics is about making the right decision, but not only when others are watching. To be truly ethical, it means doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. Its much easier to make ethical decisions when we are surrounded by others, even if they aren’t watching how we act and the decisions we make. Just being near others makes it easier to be ethical and make the right decisions. Whether it is just because we feel they may be watching or because we want others to see that we are capable of making good and “right” decisions, being around others changes the dynamic. The real test comes when we are all alone faced with a decision. What do we do? Do we forego ethics and take the easy way out? Or do we consider the bigger picture and make the right decision even if it is harder and may take more time? Sometimes, its not the big decisions that will trip us up or make us think. Often times, its the little things that get in our way. I talked recently about Leave No Trace and my son asking if he could take a piece of iron from a campsite to forge at home. For me, that was instant where I had to make a split decision; do I say yes, appease my son and make it easy or do I say no, explain why and why it is the right thing to do? Obviously, if you read my post, I chose to say no because letting him take it was not the right thing to do.

Yes, it was easier because we were in a group of people, mostly scouts and some adults, but it still gave me a brief moment of pause. In the end, I felt good about the decision I made because hopefully in addition to being the right thing to do, it would teach the scouts a lesson in ethics and Leave No Trace principles. When we make ethical decisions, it makes us feel better, builds our self-esteem, and contributes to our overall satisfaction. Why? I feel its because we are contributing to the greater good and by doing so, we become aware of the positive impact it has on others. The more we make the right decision, the easier it becomes to continue making the right decision. Our efforts build upon themselves and make ethical decisions easier. Yet, there is a bigger struggle that comes when we make more ethical decisions and really try to incorporate ethics into our every day lives. The struggle that arises is when we see those around us taking the shortcuts, making unethical decisions, either because they don’t care or because it benefit them. What would you do if you had a friend who openly admitted that he was overlooking certain violations because he was getting more work out of a deal by doing so? Would you confront that friend if it wasn’t serious? Does it really matter what decisions they make if it doesn’t harm anyone? Do you want to offend a friend?

The choices for many aren’t easy. I think to approach a situation like that would take a delicate touch, a finesse with words to not offend and perhaps shed light as to why their decision may not be the best one to make. We don’t want to offend people, but at the same time, we need to look out for the greater good and try to correct others when possible. Sometimes its a simple as returning an item that you accidently didn’t get charged for at the store, being honest and ethical, standing up and saying, “I didn’t pay for this, can you charge me?” Most people would just walk away, and in all fairness, I’ve done the same in the past. Now, I try not to, I try to do the right thing at all times, even if is an inconvenience and may cost me a little more, its just the right thing to do, the ethical thing. At the end of the day, none of us are going to be perfect, none of us will make ethical decisions 100% of the time, but if we strive for that, we may surprise ourselves with how much we can change and be different. It can be infectious as well, the more we show through our actions what its like to make ethical decisions and lead an ethical life, it can inspire others to do the same. It doesn’t mean we need to flaunt what we do, but if we do it with humility and just shrug it off to “doing the right thing”, then it becomes more meaningful and will resonate more with others.