Saturday, March 1, 2014

Ethics include how we treat ourselves, not just others.

Yes, as you argue, ethics are inside out.  They have their roots in our personal makeup, also known as character and psychology.  The process of understanding what makes us "tick" requires time, effort, and, yes, honesty with ourselves.  However, the results are worth the time and effort, for it helps us to better understand and control our behaviors toward ourselves and others.  Remember, ethical behavior, as Plato taught, includes not doing harm to others - and yes, ourselves!  We tend to overlook the personal dimension of ethics and focus exclusively on the social dimension.  It is both, and they connect, as you observe.  Good job!   Dr. Rux

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