Eric wrote:
>So, your "reference point" is a measuring stick for people who are
>exploring more sustainable paths? Can you give some examples? Do you
>mean things like statistics on energy use patterns with which to compare
>personal patterns, proven sustainable products or methods with which to
>compare new (or old) products and methods? I agree that blind mimicking
>does not condone growth or learning. I also agree that "we need to always
>question and have an open mind."
To quickly review, we are looking at ways to evaluate our ethics
in daily life. I made the point this is difficult because often
we don't have a reference point to compare against. The idea of
a mentor did not appeal to me because they often have the same
blind spots. This common blind spot is often a form of cultural
immersion where one has to step outside the dominant culture to
see clearly.
There is another problem with finding a reference and that is
created by abstraction reasoning and technology. The world we
have today has never existed before and successful role models
or proven choices do not exist. For example, how should someone
on a sustainable path interface with the media. Do we absorb
all the information available or do we shut out some of the data?
The media is full of messages about ethics so this has a impact
on our thinking. This is a new problem that did not exist a few
years ago and few people give it much thought.
A Story which approaches this topic from another direction ..
A close friend was in the CIA for many years, so i wrote and
asked about some of the rumors and stories which suggested the
CIA acted unethically. He wrote back saying if you can't trust
those close to issues then who can you trust? We have to trust
someone or we will never be able to act or believe anything.
Later more reports came from CIA files confirming that the CIA
is more interested in results than ethics. Clearly, trusting
the CIA needs to be done with a critical mind.
There are hundreds of stories like this. Teachers who preached
and thought they had the answers. Politicians who thought they
knew the path ahead. Ethnics groups who are confident that
their way is best. In all these cases truth and ethics become
assumed and critical minds are focused in other areas.
>ERIC'S DEFINITIONS:
>ethics: basic underlying principles and values used to govern choices
>values: estimated value or importance of one thing in relation to others
>mores: customs of a given culture
>morals: rules of right and wrong
>beliefs: current thoughts one holds as true
>principles: current understandings used to explain how things work
Another twist to this ethic question is the way we use language.
Most of our thoughts are framed with language and definitions. We
think in words and each of us can have different definitions. In
fact, the real meaning of words does not come from the dictionary,
they come from us. A word has no meaning until our mind makes
an association and gives it meaning. A word is a empty token
that our mind works with to creating meaning.
This is important to understand because it says we can not control
the meaning of words. They are controlled by the individual hearing
or reading them and this individual is partially controlled by their
culture.
In other words, our reference point to evaluate ethics consists of
words which also need attention. If we assume our words have
common meanings and are anchors that do not shift, we are missing
the truth.
Some possible places to look for answers about ethics might be:
ZEN thought.
diversity of information.
Seeking motivations of information sources.
Understanding of disinformation techniques (recognize the enemy).
Actually think and talk about ethics.
Create plans/goals and visions of the future. (reference points)
Review goals/plans periodically.
Never assume a topic has been explored completely, learning never ends.
Conclusion: Life does not have conclusions it is ongoing. Ethics
questions do not have simple answers, they are an ongoing process.
These words may be worthless also, they are crude attempts to share
ideas which are imperfect.
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Jeff Owens ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Zone 7
Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
