I currently find myself in the thick of ethical dissonance. Periods of ethical dissonance often lead to a lot of self-reflection, questions, and daytime drinking.
I think I'm a good person but am I really? Do I make decisions that are kind, thoughtful, and compassionate? Do I regard others with the appropriate amount of care and concern? Am I being honest with myself about the motivations behind my decisions? Do I recognize the less than desirable parts of my personality when they are indeed factoring into my decisions? Am I aware of those things and feelings? Do I deal with them appropriately when they arise?
I'm not a Christian but in many ways, I try to behave like one. I try to be honest with myself even (and perhaps especially) when my feelings and/or behaviors aren't pretty. I do my absolute best to take responsibility for my actions and the ramifications of those actions. I promised myself a long time ago that if I'm going to do something that I feel is ethically wrong, I have to say out loud "I know this is wrong and I'm doing it anyway." When faced with that "check," those unethical activities are a hell of a lot less appealing. Ultimately, I want to make Maslow proud.
As an atheist, I live under no particular moral code. My "philosophy" is to be a good person. Or, more simply, don't be an asshole.
It's no secret that I have standards for those around me. I try to keep those standards in check, allowing for negotiation and discussion because I know that no one arrived where I am by way of the same path. I also recognize that I am unquestionably flawed and fallible. To that end, I try to look at something from all angles. It's always possible that I have missed something.
Really, my ethical code is simple. Don't hurt anyone. And if you do, fix it.
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