Which is more important; What people think of you or doing what is right?

Question

This is NOT a question about if you like president Bush. Just a one or the other question so please keep your hate for Bush to your self.

Answer 1

Just because you have the POWER to force your belief of what is right and wrong on others does not give you the RIGHT to do so. You should always do what you think is right when it affects ONLY YOURSELF.

The problem is, for example in Bush's case, when what you think is right influences millions of other ppl. At that point, who are you to decide what is right for millions of other ppl. ie, Iraq, Iran, etc...

Answer 2

Clearly, doing what is right is preferable to doing that which
enhances your self image.

Some have argued that occasionally you end up doing
things that enhance your self image so that you can become
or remain powerful enough to do more important things
that are right.

I guess - but then clearly the overall action is still doing
that which is right over enhancing your self image, right?

Be careful here, however. It easy to come to the conclusion
that somebody is doing something wrong because you
disagree on who the "right" was for.

That is, somebody might be doing something right
for their family or their country, but is wrong for you.

Unfortunately,the best way to make such decisions
requires 20/20 fore sight and the ability to see all ...
That is, omnipotence.

I think each decision requires you evaluate on the
basis of everything you know about it and hope that is
enough. That unfortunately starts looking at "Situational
morality" - always dangerous.

Unthinkingly applying rules of conduct is a horrible method
of decision making. Understand what you are doing before
you do it!

Answer 3

What should matter is what you think of you. But if you're going to ask a question like that on a site like this, than it's obvious that you have ego problems and care what others think about what you do anyway.If all these people say, "Oh, do the right thing," then you're ending up doing what people would think better of you in the first place. Get a personality, and some self-esteem. Go atse yourself.

Answer 4

For comparing ethical options such as 'what is popular' and 'what is right', I like to compare the options to Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development. The stages are as follows:

1. Obedience and Punishment: Make a decision based solely on rewards and punishment.

2. Self-interest: Do what is best for yourself.

3. Interpersonal accord and conformity: Base actions on filling a social role and keeping relationships.

4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation: Follow the law and social conventions.

5. Social contract orientation: Base actions on what is best for the 'greater good'.

6. Universal ethical principles: Base decisions on an abstracted principle.

While making decisions based on 'what people think of you' easily fits in at stage three, 'doing what is right' can fall pretty much anywhere as different levels would be 'right' for different people. Therefore my answer to the original question is conditional; if what is right comes from a level above three than it is better to do what is right, if what is right comes from a level under three than it is better to base actions on what people think.

-EDIT-

In politics doing what is popular may fall under the idea of upholding a social contract which would fall at level 5. Only decisions may upon universal principles would be superior to obligating social contracts.

Answer 5

Obviously you should do what is right, not just for you, but for society as a whole. Sometimes, what is good for society is not want is best for you. Sometimes you need to look beyond what you feel is right to see what the truth is. No one is "right" all the time.

Now, doing what is right sometimes means going against your principles or re-examining things from another point of view. If you have a job, "doing what is right" is doing the job you are paid to do, not undermining the objectives and goals of your bosses.

I never knew I could dance so well...
(around issues)

Answer 6

The question is a paradox. Our leaders are elected by the people...so they should do what the people want. However, sometimes it's important to ignore the people and do what you think is right as a leader. But if what you think is right and what the people think is right is in contrast.....

This is why it's so important for people to show up at the polls and vote!!!

Answer 7

You ae so full of it with the preface that this is not a Bush question. Once again you try to manipulate consent to your twisted views of right and wrong. A Hannity tool by the way.

Answer 8

No contest. Doing what's right is the only way to go. The most important thing in life is to do the honorable thing. If you really give a rats what other people think you're their tool who has given them power over you.

Answer 9

If you are a politician it's most important to follow the will of the people who elected you. If you're not sure what they want, then you need to do what is right, like treating people with respect, and promoting human rights.

Answer 10

You shouldn't do anything to directly harm another person, or make them unhappy...but if you believe yourself to be a moral person, and you've gotten good reactions from your behavior in the past, then you should be confident that the decisions you make are most likely going to be in everyone's best interest.