9 Categories of Ethics and Morality

An exploration of the concept of right and wrong

I have always had an interest in how different people from different culture, nations and religions define the concepts of “right” and “wrong”.

I began considering this seriously, after reading the book The Territorial Imperative: A Personal Inquiry Into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations, 1966 nonfiction book by American writer Robert Ardrey.

In the book Ardrey explore the evolutionarily determined instinct of humans toward territoriality.

Ardrey points out that there are affects of this territoriality in most areas of human behavior and interaction.

Many who read Ardrey’s works, and yet do not really understand his premise, are likely to think in terms of “Survival of the fittest”. That is a common misconception by people who don’t understand what the word “fittest” means in this context, and confusedly think it means “strongest.”

“Fittest” means “best adapted for survival in an evolutionary niche.” The evolutionary niche of human beings is cooperative; we are a social species and we survive by cooperating with others. The fittest human beings are not the strongest, they’re the most cooperative, the most social.

If a strong thug comes along and starts raping and murdering, what do other humans do? They band together to protect themselves and defeat him. This collaboration is a common behavior among primates, not just humans. They cooperate. That is the survival of the fittest in human society — survival of the ones who work together.

The video below offers an example of which I speak among Baboons.

So the question may then arise. In all this collaboration, and struggle to servive, and gain and protect territory, who decides what is right and wrong? It would seem that it is the ones who work together most successfully.

Let’s explore this further.

In my mentoring method often tell my students that morality is the group’s definition of what is tight or wrong, whereas ethics is an individuals personal sense of right and wrong. Let’s not forget that there is the added distinction of the law. What is ethical, or moral, may or may not be legal.

In terms of ethics, morality and the law there are nine options to consider here.

1. A choice may be is ethical, moral and legal — Usually the optimal scenario.

2. A choice is ethical and moral, yet illegal

3. A choice is ethical yet immoral while still legal

4. A choice is ethical, immoral and illegal

5. A choice is unethical, immoral and illegal

6. A choice is unethical but immoral and legal

7. A choice is unethical but immoral and illegal

8. A choice is unethical yet moral and legal

9. A choice is unethical but moral and illegal

These variables need to be integrated into an exploration of why we make poor choices

The most common situational factors in why we make poor choices include:

• Economic Limitation
• Survival
• Fear of losing important possessions
• Lack of skill
• Lack of a caring, functional support system
• Negative feedback from others
• Fear of the Unknown
• Community and family pressure
• Fear of physical danger
• Fear of emotional damage, insanity or “madness”
• Fear of loss of shelter
• Social isolation
• Lack of understanding
• Fear of authority particularly the law
• Language barriers
• Lack of time to change a bad situation

The most common emotional factors for making poor choices include:

• Insecurity

• Pity

• Fear of self-harm

• Shame and humiliation

• Learned helplessness

• Belief that one is wrong most of the time

• Low self-esteem

• Loyalty

• Need to help others

• Denial

• Guilt

• Shame

• Unfounded optimism

• False hope

• Lack of emotional support

In problem-solving, issues of ethics, morality and legality are likely to arise. That being the case it is valuable to become familiar with the most common scenarios as well as the factors I have just listed. These need to be addressed when organizing the solution to a problem. This often needs to be done carefully and with much thought by the problem solver. One must be aware of the ethical, moral and legal implications of their actions, especially in particular places and times. If one does not do so, one is likely to have even greater problems.

Men of Honor is a fine film that explores multi-layered obstacle. How did talented African-Americans succeed in racist hierarchies before there were laws to protect them and a public consciousness that saw racism as morally and ethically flawed? Here is one story of persistence. Men of Honor is a 2000 drama film, inspired by the true story of Master chief petty officer Carl Brashear, the first African-American master diver in the United States Navy.

Here is the trailer

Here is a Medium story on this subject that you might enjoy @lynnscheid2023

This story is an excerpt from my Module for making the best choices, from my online Course, “The Self Improvement Lifestyle”. To learn more email me at [email protected]

Author: Lewis Harrison is an executive coach, practical philosopher and a professional futurist (forecaster). He is the creator of the Ask Lewis Mentoring Method as well as HAGT — Harrison’s Applied Game Theory. He is the Executive Director of the International Association of Healing Professionals an educational organization that offers programs around the world in Intentional Living. He is also Independent Scholar, with a passion for knowledge, personal development, self-improvement, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. You can read all of his Medium stories at [email protected].

For a decade, Lewis was the host of a humor-based Q & A talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) affiliated WIOX FM in NY.

“I am always exploring trends, areas of interest, and solutions to build new stories upon. Please share this article with others. It is appreciated.

If you have any ideas you would like me to write about, just email me at [email protected] or check out all of my books, blogs, and videos through my portal www.asklewis.com