It always confuses me when people say that. How does that make something right?
2007-01-07 14:34:39 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
You are right- it's not a logical justification. It's a selfish childish reaction- Someone who wants to always get their way feel that their right to (fill in the blank), ethical or otherwise is more important than adhering to ethical and moral ideals.
Legal and ethical are 2 VERY different things. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that ethics don't matter.... they have no conscience. Right and wrong hinge on what they can get away with.....
I have a right to swing my hand wherever I want- it's a free country, right?.... I can swing all I want... until my hand comes in contact with your face- then my rights end.... I have all the rights in the world until they interfere with someone else's rights.
2007-01-07 14:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The concept is that of individualism verses collectivism. If we exist in a completely "Free Country" then in theory the individual is supreme and the collective has no standing. As such the individual has has the right to do whatever as they please since there is no restriction on them. Obviously our societies don't function that way.
A less drastic stand is that if something is unethical but not illegal then they they are free to pursue it because they don't recognize it as unethical. After all some people believe that ethics don't even exist let alone what is and is not ethical.
Either of these can be the justification for the use of the line "it's a free country" and there are probably others.
2007-01-07 22:43:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tim G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of people don't even know the true meaning behind "it's a free country". When someone uses that to justify unethical behavior it's because they really know it's wrong themselves.
Kinda like a kid saying, "na nanny boo boo".
2007-01-07 22:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by mycountryfamily 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By no means does it make it right, however, illegal and unethical are not always the same thing. It's ugly, but better that than someone imposing their code of conduct upon you with the force of law, really.
2007-01-07 22:36:54 · answer #4 · answered by niwriffej 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not really a free country...If people would be smart enough..the ammendment specificaly say what is free in this country...for example..freedom of speech does not mean..go arroud talking bad about people..and bashing them..Freedom of speech is made for the media..not the people
2007-01-07 22:43:08 · answer #5 · answered by Escence 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, I guess they have free will. That's what they mean, but it's not justifiable to break the law in any way shape or form. Oh yeah, it's a free country, you are "free" to do what you want SOMETIMES but there's consequences to your actions. It doesn't mean that since it's a "free" country, there won't be consequences to anything you do.
2007-01-07 22:47:14 · answer #6 · answered by the BABY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethics is a subjective topic. What may be ethical to you might be an abomination to me. We should not legislate ethics, and, in many respects this is still a free country
2007-01-07 22:43:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't. It is just an excuse for people who don't want to change or take responsibility for their behaviour.
2007-01-07 22:39:16 · answer #8 · answered by wendygirl1000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not.
2007-01-07 22:36:47 · answer #9 · answered by Bicho 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not.
2007-01-07 23:10:25 · answer #10 · answered by thisisabsurd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋