What stops you from doing actions that are "bad" or "wrong"?

Answer 1

I don't do things I know I will have to pay for later. I mean in a bad way. Like drinking too much, I know the next day I'll be worthless, so I don't do that anymore. If I don't go to work, I'll have to work twice as hard the next day, so on and so on. There is cause and effect to everything you do and don't do.

Answer 2

I live by a fairly straightforward rule: do no harm to the well-being, the property, or the freedoms of others, and take responsibility for all my actions. I suppose one could argue that this is a form of the golden rule, though I personally don't think of it in those terms.

I do not believe in any kind of afterlife, including heaven & hell. As such, there is no reward/punishment system at work within my morality. I'm the same way with Earthly justice, too; fear of police or incarceration is not really a factor in why I choose to be a good person.

I believe that punishment/reward systems may be used for teaching or learning morality, but they should not be the ultimate basis of one's morality. He who behaves only out of fear of punishment (from god or the law) possesses the morality of a child.

So why AM I a good person? Well OK, I guess it does come down to the golden rule. But also, it's because of the negative consequences to myself and my conscience if I mistreat others.

Abraham Lincoln, when asked to explain his religious beliefs, said, "When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion." I think we are evolutionarily conditioned to feel bad whenever we do something that is bad for others. This is ultimately a survival advantage for our species. Bad behavior is ultimately self-destructive to a species when enough members engage in it. So societies and individuals have evolved to punish transgressors who seek opportunity at others' expense. And as an added measure, we as individuals feel bad (usually) when we do something considered bad. Good behavior receives positive feedback, bad behavior negative feedback.

Answer 3

bad and wrong are just the accepted conclusions of the judgement of others,as all judgements are made in the past bad or wrong cannot apply to any future actions as they will be made in their own unique environment and as that environment is in your control only you can stop you making such actions, if what you do does not conflict with your own comfort or the comfort of those with whom you are in contact then the question will not need arise again.

Answer 4

I would like to say my morals and sense of right and wrong, and sometimes this would be true. But a good amount of the time, it is a fear of the resultant consequences and bad karma.

Answer 5

Just think of the consequences of your actions. How can you fully see that your actions will cause someone pain and still continue with them?

Answer 6

Jiminy Cricket.

Answer 7

your conscience...somewhere you were tought what was bad and wrong. As a child you should have been punished for doing these things and your conscience keeps you from doing thing becuase you know you could be punished again

Answer 8

I'm a firm believer in do unto others as you want done to you, and and eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth.

Answer 9

My moral sense of what is right, and my desire to always do the right thing.

Answer 10

knowing and thinking about the conceqenses. but spelled right!! lol

y do u ask?