learning-org-digest V1 #2029 LO20022

William J. Hobler, Jr (bhobler@worldnet.att.net)
Sat, 28 Nov 1998 16:06:20 -0500

At, thank you for your response. I did not cite apartheid lightly. It is
one of the few changes generated from worldwide pressures that is both
well known and successful.

Then to my comment

>>The questions of ethics and morality are questions that
>>are answered from the culture of the community.

you replied, in part,

>The answers lay in the greater whole. Thus we have to
>study different cultures (because of diffirences in space as well as time)
>to see how they will answer to the same ethical quations. In other words,
>we must become sensitive to the cultural perceptions of all humans all
>over the world through all the ages.

And this requires a great deal of study that we do not normally afford
American children, to our detriment. But it is interesting to me to see
the influence of modern communications, particularly Television, is having
throughout the world. Even we Americans are becoming sensitive to
cultural and moral issues worldwide.

While I am sure we as a species are far from being a global village I
think that we are moving closer to that concept on some levels. Here in
the USA, in my opinion, the middle class is closer to being citizens of
the world community than our national politicians. I think that the
middle class find connections with people in other cultures they
empathize. Political leaders are too shackled be their need for power and
control.

You ask a particularly perplexing question

>Yes. But since you have mention change and ethics in the same
>paragraph, is there any rule which connects ethics directly with
>change?

Then you answer with...

>I will give you my own rule.
> I will seek the change within myself rather than trying
> to force a change upon the rest of humankind and the
> environment. I will do my utmost to help other humans
> to make a similar change.

Let me give my understanding. Where my behavior and beliefs are at odds
with my moral and ethical beliefs I will endeavor to change them to align
my beliefs (and behavior) and my morals and ethical beliefs. Note that I
may have to change my ethical beliefs. Where I perceive that the beliefs
(moral, ethical or otherwise) of another person or community counter the
moral or ethical tenants of the culture then I will work to help them make
changes that help them.

This is a position that is re pleat with complexity. But in many cases to
not take action could be savagely destructive.

Respectfully,
Bill

-- 

"William J. Hobler, Jr" <bhobler@worldnet.att.net>

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