A Bill Of Responsibilities

Rich Dixon — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:25 +0000

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. Benjamin Franklin

It’s a lot easier to assert my rights than to act responsibly.

Earlier this week I described a minor but distasteful incident. I expressed regret for my inappropriate attitude of entitlement regarding a handicapped parking space. I received some interesting feedback.

One reader essentially told me I had no reason to apologize because people shouldn’t use those spaces if they don’t need them. Another said I really did nothing wrong because I kept my anger to myself. I appreciate the support, but I disagree.

Philosopher Immanuel Kant said. “In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.”

Jesus proclaimed the same principle. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” [Matthew 5:27-28]

Attitudes and motives are more significant than legalities. No law requires me to regard others respectfully. In fact, I have the right to think poorly of others and to treat them rudely.

Athletes and coaches scream at officials. Politicians, even the President, are considered legitimate targets for derogatory outbursts. Drivers curse and offer profane gestures for perceived incompetence. Political pundits utter outrageous and inflammatory statements. These and many other verbal assaults are excused because we have the “right” to express ourselves. It’s an attitude of entitlement that begins when rights are asserted without considering corresponding responsibilities.

Perhaps our Bill Of Rights should be accompanied by a Bill Of Responsibilities.

Every individual deserves to be regarded and treated with dignity and respect. When I ignore that principle, which unfortunately happens far too frequently, I hope I’ll acknowledge my personal failure.

I hope I won’t hide behind my right to do what clearly isn’t right.

What would you list in a “Bill Of Responsibilities”?

Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. William Penn

I hope you’ll take a look at my new e-book titled STICKS AND STONES: Finding Freedom In The Face Of Criticism. It’s a free PDF download. You can click the link in the sidebar or go to my resources page to download.

Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.

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Legislating Morality

Rich Dixon — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:46 +0000

An ethical person ought to do more than he’s required to do and less than he’s allowed to do.

You can’t mandate morality.

Call it what you want—morality, ethics, or character can’t be codified. Laws, rules, and regulations are always lowest common denominators. Attempts to legislate moral behavior simply create a cottage industry aimed at finding loopholes or avoiding detection.

I think that’s one of our biggest dilemmas as a society. We seem to believe that “legal” equals “ethical” and debate endlessly the government’s proper role in determining “right” behavior. But it’s simply a fact that the best laws can do is determine minimum standards, and those can never be the same as proper ethics.

As a wheelchair user, I see this principle constantly in the public access requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). People use reserved parking spaces “legally” because they have someone else’s permit. Ramps or doors meet ADA requirements but are difficult to access because or location. Accessible seats at a ballpark are more desirable because they have a bit more legroom.

This isn’t intended as a complaint. I appreciate the ADA both for access requirements and for the awareness it’s created. The ADA is really a legal acknowledgment of society’s collective belief that everyone should be able to contribute to, and participate in, public activities.

But the ADA, like any law, can’t change the hearts of those who seek ways to circumvent its spirit. Morality isn’t concerned much with what I’m allowed to do, because it’s about doing what I know I ought to do. Ethics isn’t about my rights; it’s about what’s right.

Ethical questions are difficult, because they arise in the grey areas that can’t be legislated. Some would argue that right and wrong are relative, but I disagree. Just because a concept can’t be neatly wrapped in words with no ambiguities or gaps doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent or irrelevant.

I believe that absolute truth and right exist. I also believe that the best I can do is a closer approximation of behaviors that align with what’s right. My goals are to proclaim truth and do right as I understand them and to always seek deeper, better understanding.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about my filter for ethical choices.

What’s your take on ethics, morals, and laws?

One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all.” Martin Luther King, Jr.