Bay Shore NY
6-06-2023 8:55pm

Ethics and the Moral Code of Conduct in America

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - ETHICS AND THE MORAL CODE OF CONDUCT IN AMERICA

Ethics are moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. Ethics are the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles. In essence, it is right from wrong.

Ethics can have different meanings depending on the context. In general, ethics are a system of moral principles or rules that say what is and is not acceptable. Ethics can be applied to various fields and situations, such as medical ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and personal ethics. 

You might be asking what is the difference between ethics and morals? Ethics are distinct from morals in that they’re much more practical. A moral precept is an idea or opinion that’s driven by a desire to be good. An ethical code is a set of rules that defines allowable actions or correct behavior. An ethical code doesn’t have to be moral. It’s just a set of rules for people to follow. 

Here is a simple breakdown of some groups of ethics. Social Ethics are tolerance towards others in peace and harmony. Political Ethics are constitutional ethics and national interest. Organizational Ethics are impartiality, honesty, hard work, efficiency, and corporate governance. International Ethics are ethics in diplomacy and respecting international treaties. We live within the parameter of all of these.

We've all heard of the code of ethics doctors must abide by. Lawyers, too. But what about our society? Don't we have to abide by ethical codes as well? The idea of a moral code extends beyond the individual to include what is determined to be right and wrong for a community or society at large. Ethics is concerned with rights, responsibilities, use of language, what it means to live an ethical life and how people make moral decisions. So how does this go wrong?

The United State is considered an Individualistic Society because as individuals, we have opportunities to pursue that which reflects our self-interests. We are encouraged to express ourselves through trends in culture that include fashion, music, and language. We are a unique country - "The Great Experiment" as it's called. People from all over the world flock here for the opportunities and self-expression afforded them that they would never have in their respective countries. But are we tolerant of this individuality?

When I was in high school, my awakening of observing others began. This is when my curiosity peaked, and I began to wonder if other people who didn't look like me felt similar emotions or wanted the same things that I wanted. I recall one day in my sophomore year of high school. I was sitting outside with some friends, and there was a group of African-American boys (we called them Negro or Black back then) talking about Malcolm X. One kid had a T-shirt on with Malcolm's face emblazed on it. It was around the same time that the book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X:  As Told to Alex Haley, came out. I bought it and read it. It changed my life. Malcolm X was on the cusp of fundamental, ethical and moral personal change when he was gunned down by one of his followers. He was broadening his own perspective on what it meant to be a black man in America. I think things might be different now if he and Martin Luther King, Jr. had lived. They were working towards setting a new ethical and moral code of behavior and understanding. We must keep their legacy alive and learn about the deeds they did.

With all the awareness of race, culture, and religion, you would think we'd be a more tolerant society. I don't think much has changed in over 50 years. We might be more aware of each other, but I don't think we've learned how to live with each other in a civil way of love, honor, and respect. I think the "selfie" has forced us to look at the face value of ourselves and not at the character of each other. We seem to have a self-absorbed society. All too many people think only about themselves. What's best for them is the mantra, not how can they be contributing members of a civil society. I, for one, believe in inspiring others to be their best selves. We need more of this. If we are to survive as a society, this must change. We seem to have morphed into a society that has no idea about what ethics is. Right and wrong is relative to each of us. I may believe it's wrong to shout down a speaker, even one with whom I disagree. Another person may think it's fine to do so to show their displeasure, but they never think about the fact that others may want to hear the speaker and what they have to say. Groupthink takes over and if you disagree with the prevailing view, you may be canceled on the internet. Is this where we're at? Is this the best we can do? SMH.

It starts with us. The self. Not the selfie. We can change the direction we are going in as a society. We can put love and tolerance before hate and prejudice. It's a choice. It's also what we're taught. I believe in a Peace and Love movement. We've had one before. Movements that had been building along the primary fault lines of the 1960s—the Vietnam War, the Cold War, civil rights, human rights, youth culture—exploded with force in 1968 - the year America unraveled. The aftershocks registered both in America and abroad for decades afterward.  We were beginning to open up our hearts and minds to other people who looked and thought differently than ourselves and then two devastating assassinations occurred months from each other in 1968. First it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4th and then Robert F. Kennedy on June 6th. These events devastated the fabric of America as the Hippies defined a generation. Peace and Love. We can dig it again.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, some of us are old enough to remember the events of the 60's. They changed our country, and we've never been the same. We must continue to learn tolerance without judgement, love without hate, and peace without violence. Amen.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C. is a hell of a town. I've been a couple of times. It has a buzz like no other city in America. You can feel it in the air. With so many museums and cultural sites to visit, you'll need more than a weekend to discover this iconic town. April is a beautiful time to visit DC as the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom. Don't go in July or August. It's just too hot there during this time of year. 

Check out www.washington.org before you make your travel plans.

Here are some of my picks to see in this fascinating city:

The Capital, of course.

The Smithsonian Institute (www.si.edu)

National Museum of African-American History (www.nmaahc.si.edu)

National Museum of the American Indian (www.americanindian.si.edu)

SKYLARK'S INSPRIATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

-John F. Kennedy

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What can you do to set an example of ethics and morality for your fellow man?

Please let me know in the comment section below. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - STONED SOUL PICNIC (written in 1968 by Laura Nyro and performed by The Fifth Dimension)

<!-- EMBEDDED YOUTUBE URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7L65em0d88 -->

LYRICS

Can you surry?
Can you picnic?
Can you surry?
Can you picnic?
C'mon, c'mon and
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Stoned Soul
Stoned Soul
C'mon, c'mon and
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Rain and sun come in akin
And from the sky
Come the Lord and the lightnin'
And from the sky
Come the Lord and the lightnin'
Stoned Soul
Stoned Soul
Surry on surry
Surry, surry, surry, surry
There'll be trains of blossoms
There'll be trains of music
There'll be music
There'll be trains of trust
Trains of golden dust
Come along a surry oh
Sweet trains of thought
Surry on down
Can you surry?
Can you surry?
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Moonshine
Stoned Soul yeah
Surry on surry
Surry
Surry
Surry

WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE

Hello and thank you for reading my weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, representing Bay Shore and towns beyond. My articles are about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to and things I want to explore. There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Please consider becoming a subscriber. There are several levels, and it’s easy to do. Just open the newsletter and the subscribe button is there. As a subscriber, you will receive a copy of my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. You can do it yourself or email me to discuss this at christineskylark@aol.com. You can also PM me. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

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Please feel free to comment about my article below. I'd love to know what's on your mind.

Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.
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