The Right Thing the Right Way

Topic: Right or Wrong

Individuals look at situations differently when it comes to the right or wrong decision. Some people think that no matter the cause or reason for the activity or situation, it is right or wrong-- this is being a moral absolutist. But others think that depending on the cause or reason for the activity or situation will tell whether it is right or wrong-- this is being a moral relativist. When I arrive at a specific decisions concerning the rightness or wrongness of a certain activities, I am a moral relativist.

For example, I will use committing a crime. A moral absolutist would say that committing a crime is wrong, no matter what. In my eyes, it all depends on the situation and reasons for the crime. If someone murders someone else, it could of been accidental or for self defense. If someone steals from a grocery store, the person probably is poor and has no money or it was accidental. It really all depends on what is going on. I think that the Law Enforcement System should be more relative than absolute. The problem is that they don't look at the whole situation of the crime. They just look at the situation, lock people up, and throw away the key.

Another good example is racism and prejudice. A moral absolutist would say that this is wrong, but I say that again it all depends. Racism is the belief that one race is better than the other. This is right on some situations. Example: sports; black people are better at sports than white people. Example: becoming president; white people have better chance of becoming president than black people do. Prejudice is an opinion about someone or something that is based not on reason or experience disliking that someone or something for that opinion. This is right on some situations. being prejudice to Afganistianians is wrong because they all aren't suicide bombers. Being prejudice to racist individuals is acceptable because the don't like black people.

Looking at specific situations and automatically thinking it is true or false is wrong. Individuals need to look at every activity like it is a math problem-- try to find the best way to get to the answer and if it is wrong, make it right. Being a moral relativist is the way I look at everything.