Do you feel that character & ethics are obsolete in todays consumerist society ?

Question

or is it an inherent human quality

Answer 1

No, they're not obsolete but people without them are becoming a lot more acceptable to society. Which explains most of the problems we have.

Answer 2

They are obsolete because they are often unappreciated or unrewarded when one gets older and becomes an "adult." Frankly, being honest and playing by the rules allowed me to do very well in school and some athletic ventures. However, after finishing school and working in the "real world", I feel like my conscience is the most detrimental thing. If I was less honest in my business dealings and ever learned how to lie, I would be as "successful" as some of my "colleagues." And I am sadly getting to the point where I'm beginning to say to myself "why should I play by the rules?" Noone else does. My paycheck shouldn't be smaller because other people will resort to devious sales tactics and dishonest measures.

Therefore, my answer to your question is that character and ethics are rare. Consequently, those who possess them do not always "move up the ladder" in adult life the way they should. Many people, myself included, I think just come to the rationalization that you have to fight fire with fire. It's sad but true. If you don't feel character and ethics are obsolete, just look at our country's politicians. Democrats. Republicans. It frankly doesn't matter. Everyone has their own selfish, avaricious motives and agendas. It's like actor Norm McDonald said in his movie Dirty Work. "There are 2 kinds of people in this world - those who get stomped on and those who do the stomping." Unfortunately, many of the honest, decent ones fall into the former category.

Answer 3

Oh heck no. Character and ethics, which I lump together as "integrity," are more rarely seen, perhaps, but that makes them all the more valuable! They will never be obsolete, as long as human relationships have any meaning.

Answer 4

We as humans have the ability to distract ourselves and become caught up in triviality. If that quality didn't exist in our nature then we couldn't go astray, so I think it's an inherent 'potential' to lose sight of what is most important to us.