Does ethics have a place in Ireland today?

In order to consider the question of ethics in today's Ireland we must first define ethics.  The word ethics comes from the Greek ethikos, ethos, meaning 'character.'  The practice of ethics involves more than simply knowing and studying the truth, it is concerned with action.  The outcome is that our actions have a role in creating our character.

The words good, ethical, moral or right can all be taken to mean the same thing - 'what is the right thing to do to support human flourishing?'  Human flourishing is about interrelatedness - where each individual lives a good life, in the best sense of the word, but not at the expense of another person or the wider community. However the theory of living the good life is only part of the debate.  Action ought to play a central role.  Before we can determine how to act, we need to be clear on the values we want to support and why.

Unfortunately our recent history in Ireland is scarce on debate about how to support human flourishing.  Yet there is a lot of empty talk to be heard about ethics.   Even on casual examination of the published reports of our various tribunals you will find repeated examples of character traits that do not even attempt to consider, never mind support, human flourishing.

I firmly believe that ethics does have a place in today's Ireland.  But for ethics, in the real sense of the word, to become part of our society it has to start with us - each individual citizen. There is little to be gained from blaming others without looking at our own character traits. It is time to channel the energy we spend blaming others into looking at the ideal character traits we value and how we each can work towards developing these traits in our own lives.

It falls to each of us to think out what kind of lifestyle best supports our individual personal flourishing as a human person.  When we know what this involves, it will be clear what life choices are necessary to support this way of life.  How we act determines the sort of character we cultivate.

Ethics is not about rules.  It is not about blindly following what someone else has decided is a good life.  Ethics calls on us to think, to reflect and deliberate about what is the right way for us to live.  It is about sound practical reasoning. To read in more depth on Aristotle on the Virtue of Phronesis: Practical Wisdom click HERE to read a paper I delivered at a conference on Vices and Virtues in Prague, in March 2012.

If you would like to investigate what the good life might mean for you with the support of a skilled professional, give me a call. Your questions and comments are welcome and I look forward to speaking with you.

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"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought,  without accepting it." Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)