Understanding concepts of right and wrong

Right & Wrong

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS "RIGHT"

In order to know what is "right" as contrasted with what is "wrong," I have personally come to understand that what is "right" often depends on the situation and/or event and how I react to such occurrences. Generally speaking, the most important aspect of knowing what is right has much to do with the concept of free will which according to William E. Rushman is defined as the ability of human beings "to choose between right and wrong." Rushman points out that as human beings, "we are completely free to choose, but are not shielded from the consequences of our actions." Thus, without free will, "no opportunity for choices between right and wrong exists" ("Ethics -- Part One," Internet). Therefore, in order to determine what is "right" in any given situation, I constantly apply the concept of free will to all of my decisions, based to a large extent of the teachings and ethics of my religion.

CHRISTIAN-BASED FREE WILL:

The Holy Bible assumes that "human beings have the spontaneous and voluntary power of moral and psychological choice," yet the Bible seems neither to affirm nor deny that people's future actions are indeterminate and therefore unpredictable; however, the Bible does imply that God foreknows all things, i.e., God is omniscient or knows everything in advance (Williams, 1989, 179). Thus, free will seems to contradict this idea of God's omniscient power, yet God has given human beings the power to choose between right and wrong. In addition, human beings usually operate "by certain moral 'givens' (and) by a sense of right and wrong," mostly based on Western Christian ideals and tenets. However, human beings also commit a sin by choosing to do what we know is wrong or failing to do what we know is right" (Brumley, 2007, Internet). In essence, by using free will and by knowing and understanding what the Holy Bible has to say about what is right and what is wrong, I have been able to make the proper decisions, especially when they greatly influence the lives of others around me, such as family members, friends and co-workers.

My personal understanding of what is right and what is wrong has changed dramatically over the years. When I was much younger, I usually "gave in" to peer pressure regarding how to act or respond to certain circumstances that required a "right" or "wrong" answer. Yet as I matured into an adult, I discovered that "right" and "wrong" are two very different concepts. Personally, the best example of this can be found in Romans, Chapter 2, verses 14 through 15 in which Paul "refers to the Gentiles who lacked the Mosaic law but who nevertheless followed certain precepts" (Brumley, 2007, Internet). Paul writes "When the Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law unto themselves even though they have not the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts" (the Holy Bible, 1960, 1033).

In essence, Paul is talking about what philosophers refer to as Natural Law which "is concerned with how rational beings -- beings with minds and will -- ought to act" when faced with certain decisions. For those who are non-religious, Natural Law is more related to common sense, meaning that knowing what is "right" and what is "wrong" is simply a matter of rational or logical thinking. However, these types of individuals often feel that Natural Law limits their freedom, yet in reality, it only limits their choices as to what is "right" and "wrong." Thus, the true nature of my own understanding of what is "right" and what is "wrong" is based on the idea that human beings "are free (to) act as we should by choice, not by instinct or compulsion. And the fact that we all know, at some level, there is a 'right thing' to do implies the existence of Natural Law" (Brumley, 2007, Internet).

Regarding the quote by the Greek philosopher Socrates ("Is something right because God commands it or does he command it because it is right?"), Rebecca Donnarumma makes a very good point when she says that "If God approves of things because they are pious (i.e. right), then morality is arbitrary," meaning that what is "right' is based on an individual's personal discretion. In addition, Donnarumma adds that "the view that God merely recognizes what is good (or right) renders God into a journalist... reporting to us what we probably can discover on our own" (2006, Internet). Overall, a person must make the choice as to whether or not God is the sole creator of what is "right' and "wrong" or if man is the creator of what is "right" and "wrong."