Ethics & Truth - SL#1

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Ever been in this situation before?

A loved one asks you with sheer enthusiasm and compassion: “Do I look good in this outfit?”

To which you reply mechanically: “Yes, it’s beautiful.” but just to move on from this unimportant problem for you in the moment.

Don’t feel bad, we’ve all been there at least once. ;)

However, what we typically don’t immediately recognize, is that this small episode, exposes a critical aspect of our ethical nature which has major consequences in our society.

There are two fundamental ethical orientations that guide us:

1. Deontological
2. Consequentialist

Deontological, is when we react based on truth.

Consequential, on the other hand, is when we react based on the consequences of our answer.

There is nothing inherently “evil” about answering consequentially; we are social creatures after all, and it’s part of our affective nature.

The problem I want to make you aware of, is when we use consequentialist reactions on critical matters.

Such as religion, politics, science, history, etc.

Now I invite you to ask yourself: Are we sacrificing truth for social conformity?

Keep this question in mind next time you listen to the news, learn something new or teach something to someone else.

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All the best,

Hugo Ares,
Student of life.

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