what would it take for you to throw out all of your morals and ethical behavior?

Question

To what extreme would life have to go for that?
I'm just curious. hopefully it never happens to you.
thanks in advance for all your great answers.

Answer 1

It seems to me that we have morals and ethical behavior (collectively) because it serves our community at large, and thus it serves us. So, for example, if we all BELIEVE in good behavior and CHOOSE good behavior then we all are SERVED because on the whole, we are all being "good".

The time to thow it all out would be a time when it becomes clear that there is no more "collective" working together.

Even if I imagine the worst possible situation, like some sort of end of the world scenario, I think we would see small groups or clans (be they strangers, friends or families) with whom we practice moral behavior... BUT, then outside that small collective, we would be forced (for the good of our own small collective) to not practice moral and ethical behavior, and instead, practice a more "me for me and you for you" behavior.

Which makes me think, in some ways, that's how we (the United States as a country) may appear today, right? If we define the US as our "collective" and we feel threatened by the other, then we, as the US can be moral within our own community but it is OK to go overseas and kill. (Killing really is not THAT ethical.)

Personally, this is a really hard question. I think I would do it only when I am defending someone very precious to me.

Answer 2

That's a tough question. Some of the greatest men in history, had weak moments and threw out their morals for really dumb choices, does that make them horrible? I cant answer that, but I know I am human and I have temptations, that at a weak moment I may succumb too.

I would love to say, I would never give up my morals for no amount of money, fame, power etc. But I know all to well I am human and in a desperate moment I just can't say I would do the right thing 100% of the time...

Answer 3

Fortunately in my life , that extreme has not been put to the test. It's easy to say I would never under any circumstance's throw out all my morals and ethics, but unless faced head on with that decision, you really don't know.
Albert Schweitzer, physician, theologian self -sacrificing image, allowed patients and staff members to eat protein-deficient meals, and use water from a contaminated well. What on earth did he face to compromise the very standards morals and ethics he lived his life by.

Answer 4

What I can say about this issue is that anyone who freely admits they would put aside their morals and ethics are not the ones we need to worry about. Sometimes living in a society with so much moral and ethical restrictions can make people act a little crazy. In the not too distant past it was normal to fight someone to the death for a variety of reasons. Now, it is wrong to exhibit road rage. Even in a state of war our soldiers are restricted to certain "rules of engagement." This I can say for sure-the nicest people you think you know can be your meanest. And your most peaceable can be the most violent. It's the quiet normal ones we have to worry about.

Answer 5

Perhaps the only thing that will allow me to throw away all of my morals an ethical behavior is the realization that the views and values of society are apposing my own. For example, rebellion are fought throughout history to overturn what the rebels consider as tyranny. If the rebelling forces win, they are commended for being brave. But if they lose, their views and reasoing will be redicule by the public. It all depends on whether you are willing to follow ways of society, even if they are against your personal morals, or are willing to trust that your views are correct and follow through

Answer 6

I think I would have to go through what Job went through in the bible to truly understand throwing out all morals and ethical behavior. In the meantime, I'll keep losing jobs in the name of morals because I believe we must be moral and not give in to temptation of money or power.

Answer 7

I think ethics and morals are part genetic and part upbringing. I'm not gonna wake up one day and decide to be a cold blooded assassin. In general It does not work that way, Scientists are beginning to to discover that hardcore criminals have an inbred chemical imbalance in there brain that makes them wired to do what normal people would not have the stomach for.

Answer 8

Generally when some body's existence is questioned,then they would throw out the morals and ethics.

Answer 9

A real and imminent threat to the lives of my beloved companion, or my children, or my grandchildren would do it. But on the other hand, they are also precisely what keeps me fighting for the ethics and values I believe in, against all actions and inaction precipitating climate change - because I believe it is the greatest threat to all life on earth, and all its possibilities

Answer 10

It's impossible to throw out all of your morals and ethical behavior because as soon as you "throw them out" they're not yours anymore. You have a new set that are now yours to which you're abiding.