My understanding of morality comes from the different experiences that I have had while interacting with society. I have experienced the rewards of doing good and the punishments of doing wrong, and this is the aspect that defines my overall understanding of morality. Additionally, through the books of knowledge such as those written by different philosophers, I have managed to gather vast knowledge about all elements of morality that society seeks to uphold.
Primarily, I was taught aspects of life that are morally right and wrong by my elders, laws, and the overall norms of society. Considering that different rules guide the interaction of humans and the environment together with humans amongst other humans, I believe that it would be important to consider these rules as a major pillar in understanding what is morally right and wrong. For instance, as I grew up, society taught me to respect my elders regardless of their level of knowledge and help them when I find it necessary without being told to do so.
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The lessons about respecting all people and my environment are other aspects of morality that I learned through schooling. Schooling helped me to identify the right way to dispose of lethal materials in the environment, for instance. Polluting the environment would lead to the overall destruction of aspects of nature that the environment harbors which support the existence of humans and other animals. Therefore, in such a stance, I was taught that I would be breaking the law and harming others because of my morally wrong actions. Through schooling, I have managed to gather much information regarding the actions that are morally right and wrong. Through books published by different philosophers such as Socrates, I have learned about every sphere of life and how I can understand what is morally right and wrong. One such stance is notable in Socrates’ work whereby he reveals through reasoning and reflection that it is morally wrong to harm anyone, it is morally right to keep my promises, obey and respect my parents and teachers.
However, I have learned about situations that result in challenging moral questions. In this way, it becomes difficult for people to identify what is morally right and morally wrong. Such situations have brought up discussions that have become endless. Some of the examples of such situations include the morality of abortion, euthanasia, and the legalization of marijuana. Among these situations, ethical concerns arise, and thus explorations from the supporters and opposers’ points of view reveal there is no clear definition of whether they are morally right or wrong.
One such situation I have ever faced is the use of euthanasia. I had a brother diagnosed with a terminal illness. Since his situation was getting worse, and he was in constant pain, the doctor advised on the use of euthanasia. In this case, it was evident that my mother and I were not in agreement with the doctor to initiate the process of physician-assisted suicide to him. However, we had to weigh the options of continuing to put him off life support, which would later on not be helpful, and he would eventually die and the initiation of euthanasia as advised by the doctor. The use of physician-assisted suicide raises questions of morality.
In this case, it would be important to note that the doctor will continue to give the patient painkillers, but eventually, he will die. On the other hand, the doctor can decide to terminate the life of the patient because he will die eventually to relieve him from the painful experience. Therefore, it is not clear whether euthanasia is morally right or wrong because it raises ethical questions.
Reference
Frankena, K. W. (n.d).Morality and Moral Philosophy, p1-5.
