Introduction
Some people might question the concept of meaningful living, while others dedicate years to finding what and why makes their lives worthy and valuable. For Socrates, the best one can do is examine one’s life, and this process of examination can be confusing but is extremely essential for effective and comfortable inter- and intra-communication. The study of ethics has enabled me to examine my life because now I am more aware of the need and ways to approach others’ opinions carefully and make my views and actions more reasonable.
How the Study of Ethics Has Enabled Reflection on Life Goals
Living an examined life generally refers to two critical processes. Firstly, individuals should have strong and explainable motivations, reasons, and justifications for their actions or inactions. In other words, it is necessary to be able to explain why one finds wars unacceptable or supports abortion opposition.
Seeking such explanations might make someone change their views or reconsider how they approach essential matters. Further, a person must value opposing opinions, encourage others to justify them, and understand how and why others live as they do (Wireless Philosophy, 2017). Studying ethics allows me to engage in these processes of life examination easily and more efficiently.
For example, different ethical systems, such as utilitarianism, deontology, feminism, and critical race theories, provide me with certain steps and lenses I can apply to specific life situations or my own and others’ opinions to understand them. Ethics teaches me to be nonjudgmental and free of stereotypes when examining other people’s attitudes, even if their values and beliefs are opposed to mine. Instead of criticizing them and insisting that their way of life is wrong, I appreciate our differences and ensure we focus on the bright sides of the situation.
At the same time, when I am engaged in a challenging dialogue and feel the need to impact my interlocutor’s position, ethical principles allow me to do that morally and effectively. The study of ethics has enabled me to persuade others without pressuring them, but by gently offering to consider my point of view. This way, I examine my life, inviting the other person to examine theirs.
Furthermore, studying ethical and moral laws now guides my planning for future achievements. For instance, when trying to understand what I want to accomplish, I ensure my goals follow my personal and universal moral values. If I wanted to start my own business, I would first ask myself about the motives for this purpose and the costs and gains, especially whether it would benefit others. Since my ethical principle is to increase others’ happiness and comfort and contribute to enhancing this world, I cannot strive to achieve those goals that do not benefit society. As for me, examining life is about avoiding immoral actions and thoughts, knowing the reasons for this avoidance, and promoting universal laws of ethics in one’s own opinions and others’ views.
Conclusion
To conclude, studying ethics has enabled me to be more conscious, nonjudgmental, and moral when assessing my or other people’s thoughts and actions. Now, I have knowledge about ethical principles, steps, and systems that can be used in examining present and future life. Thanks to this information, I can analyze my beliefs, eliminate those I cannot justify or explain, and understand the reasoning behind others’ ways of living.
Reference
Wireless Philosophy. (2017). The examined life: Know thyself #1 [Video]. YouTube. Web.