Carolina Navarro

Mrs.Carroll

American Literature

April 30 2017

The Rules to a Moral Life

Throughout this unit, it was surprising to find all the new information there was available.

There were different frameworks, situations and ways to achieve supreme morality. While

learning about these new definitions about moral actions, it was difficult to find ways everything

would be moral. What was once believed to be moral was no longer defined as moral. There

were differences in inclination, duties, ethics and morality. There was also a difference between

finding happiness and ethics. Justice is something that can be complex to achieve. For many

people, violence is justice; however, violence does not agree with our natural duties. Although

justice is quite difficult to define, it is still definable. Justice is the ways we cope with equity

while being ethical. Personally, my ethical rules fall under the Duty Framework. I tend to always

do the right thing and rarely fail to do my duties. I also aim to perform the right action.

Do no harm is something that many people identify with. This rule finds importance in

causing no harm to anyone and anything. Regardless of the situation, nothing should be harmed.

Although many hypothetical situations can be created to try to defy the this rule, this rule still

stands strong with a lot of evidence. Causing no pain involves a promotion of peace which can

be very difficult to achieve. In a dangerous situation it may be even more difficult to reach this

goal of no infliction of trauma. Doing no harm is our natural duty as human beings. Without our

natural duties, humans fail as rational beings. In the book Justice: Whats the Right Thing to Do,
Michael J. Sandel writes about our natural duties. Sandel states, Natural duties are universal

(3). Do no harm falls into an area that is applied to anyone. This rule also falls into the Duty

Framework due to the main focus, which is to make the correct decision. Since doing no harm

produces peace along with no infliction of pain, it will mostly perform the right action when

faced with a difficult situation.

In a society which praises the American Dream, it may be difficult to remember what is

was like to live in an environment that was not ideal to the standards of society. Staying humble

is what brings us back to Earth when we fly sky high. Moving through social and economic

classes may be a great thing to do, but remembering where we came from and what we did is

extremely important. Rigor, determination, and motivation are all traits that many people have

when trying to move forward in life. These are also the traits that people who have moved up in

classes stop appreciating in others. It is quite important to remember the roots of success and

appreciate the opportunities given. This is an obligation of solidarity. Obligations of solidarity

involve moral responsibility we owe, not to rational beings, but those with whom we share a

certain history with (Sandel 33). Sharing this emotional connection with someone else helps

others stay humble. In Duty framework, we focus on the duties and obligations that we have in

a given situation (Brown University 15), which is why staying humble is so important. When

someone is in a situation in which they were capable to move up in social and economic status, it

is a duty to stay humble and remember the origins that once made us who we are.

Entrusting people can be very difficult, even though it should not be. Being committed to

that things that are entrusted upon us is quite fundamental towards relationships. Most healthy

relationships start with trust. Trust is built through commitment towards another person and the
things you commit yourself to. Staying true to these promises can really help shape a relationship

in a positive way. It is our voluntary obligation to carry on with things we promise. It is a

decision that is made by duty rather than inclination. Motives to do things are made to fulfill our

duties and obligations (Sandel 12) which makes them moral. The correct decision, as the Duty

frame work says, is to carry on with your promise.

Compassion is something many people tend to give to a select few due to past

experiences; however, I argue differently. Compassion to everyone regardless of the situation is

the correct way to distribute concern. This rule allows for no hypothetical situations in which this

would be immoral. If the action is represented as good in itself, and therefore as necessary for a

will which of itself accords with reason, then the imperative is categorical (Sandel 50). In other

words, if an action is not conditional it is moral. Under no situations should being compassionate

not be true. Anyone, regardless of the situation, deserves compassion. The Duty framework also

revolves around an idea of making a set of rules that applies to everyone, which is what this rule

does. This rule shows sympathy to everyone.

Many people often treat others based on rumors, stereotypes and other factors. However,

we should treat others the way you want to be treated. This golden rule is very common to hear,

but not common to see. Although certain factors play into the traits of a person, it should not

change the way we treat others. This rule focuses on trying to do the right thing in difficult times.

This rule is also unconditional. This categorical duty or categorial right is one that applies

regardless of the circumstances (Sandel 54). In no different situation would treating others the

way you would like to be treated be defied. Duty framework shows that in any given situation,
obligations are followed. It is our obligation to chose the correct decision even if it is the

unfavorable decision.

Being compassionate is very one of a kind, but helping others with success is also quite

unique. Often times, people worry about themselves when trying to be successful; however,

helping others with success is also important. Spreading positivity is something fundamental as

well as helping others be happy too. Different people define or find success differently, but

helping people achieve their desired success is what this rule focuses on. Success should be

determined autonomously according to a law we give ourselves (Sandel 35), but helping

people comes from our natural duties. This rule accepts an action that would be ethical in any

given situation which also falls into the Duty framework.

Selfishness is a controversial subject, but greed is not. Do not be greedy is another

important rule. Greed is the main source of many issues. Greed goes against our natural duties of

being able to treat persons with respect, to do justice, to avoid cruelty, and so on (Sandel 4).

Greed is not moral in any situation; therefore, we should avoid it at all costs. Although greed

would be considered autonomous, which is moral, it goes against the natural duties we have as

rational beings along with sentient beings. Do not be greedy is aimed to always perform the

correct action, which is what the Duty framework focuses on. Greed is the main reason for

poverty, world hunger, and other issues, the reduction of greed would solve many world

problems

Judgement is not always the best thing, but no judgement results in bad decisions.

However, we should not judge people by first impressions. First impressions are not always the

best ways to find out the true intentions someone has. Someone may leave a bad first impression,
but may have good intentions and vice versa. It is good to give others many opportunities before

seeing all the traits a person possesses. We should not follow our inclination, but rather follow

our duties. First impressions do not show motives. In order to be moral, we have to do the right

thing because its right, not for some ulterior motive (Sandel 13). In every situation when

meeting someone new, this should always apply. This is a set rule for everyone, regardless of the

circumstances.

First impressions maybe one thing, but making positive change is another. In order to

bring happiness, we must make positive changes. Our natural duties often show us how to be a

good person universally without consent. Making positive change involves a positive impact to

the world. When someone makes positive change, they involve themselves in the autonomic

decision to make a positive impact. Everyone has the tools to make the beneficial changes,

however it is the decision to make the changes that is different for everyone. We have to govern

ourselves according to a law we give ourselves (Sandel 35). This rule forces an individual to

make the correct choice all the time. This, again, falls under the Duty framework of always

chosing to make the correct decison.

The main focus of these rules is to help others, which is why the final rule is to not wish

the worst on others. This may be difficult to achieve, but is still very achievable. Often times we

wish terrible things to other people and that is unethical. It is our natural duty to wish the best to

to others, not an inclination. Wishing the best on others does not act out of all attempts to satisfy

our wants, desires, preferences, and appetites (Sandel 16). Although many people with negative

character traits will taunt you to wish the worst upon them, still stand strong and do not. It is

important to realize that it is a duty and not an inclination to satisfy this rule. Do not wish the
worst on others allows for the correct decision to be made when you encounter someone difficult

to work with.

To develop this list of rules, I chose to write down the things I see many people neglect. I

chose to find rules to fix various problems in the world. I also made many changes to this list.

Many of the rules sounded like each other or could have easily been proposed a hypothetical

situation to be proven unethical. I also changed the wording to make the rules more relative with

the meaning I wanted to portray. These changes made a huge difference in defining what the

rules were and how they were used. These changes in diction played a huge role in changing

what was conveyed. I also changed some rules to be more specific and to leave no space for

unethical or immoral situations.

Following these rules is not difficult; however, I have not completely followed these rules

faithfully. If I were to follow these rules, my life would change to be a lot more optimistic.

Usually, I am a pessimist, but with these rules, I could really change my thinking, especially

about life. I would also give off a lot more positive energy to the world. If these rules were to be

followed by the world, then the world would be more moral and kind. Since these rules allow for

no situations in which they would be immoral, then the world be more positive and

understanding. However, these 10 rules are not enough to live life, but rather they are a

foundation to set up a world with more good.