Term Paper on "Understanding of What Is Right"

Term Paper 3 pages (1022 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Right & Wrong

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS "RIGHT"

In order to know what is "right" as contrasted with what is "wrong," I have personally come to understand that what is "right" often depends on the situation and/or event and how I react to such occurrences. Generally speaking, the most important aspect of knowing what is right has much to do with the concept of free will which according to William E. Rushman is defined as the ability of human beings "to choose between right and wrong." Rushman points out that as human beings, "we are completely free to choose, but are not shielded from the consequences of our actions." Thus, without free will, "no opportunity for choices between right and wrong exists" ("Ethics -- Part One," Internet). Therefore, in order to determine what is "right" in any given situation, I constantly apply the concept of free will to all of my decisions, based to a large extent of the teachings and ethics of my religion.

CHRISTIAN-BASED FREE WILL:

The Holy Bible assumes that "human beings have the spontaneous and voluntary power of moral and psychological choice," yet the Bible seems neither to affirm nor deny that people's future actions are indeterminate and therefore unpredictable; however, the Bible does imply that God foreknows all things, i.e., God is omniscient or knows everything in advance (Williams, 1989, 179). Thus, free will seems to contradict this idea of God's omniscient power, yet God has given human beings the power to choose between right and wrong. In addition, human beings usually operate "by certain moral 'givens' (and) by a sense of right and wrong," mostly based on Western Christian ideals and tenets. However, human beings also commit a sin by choosing to do what we know is wrong or failing to do what we know is right" (Brumley, 2007, Internet). In essence, by using free will and by knowing and understanding what the Holy Bible has to say about what is right and what is wrong, I have been able to make the proper decisions, especially when they greatly influence the lives of others around me, such as family members, friends and co-workers.

My personal understanding of what is right and what is wrong has changed dramatically over the years. When I was much younger, I usually "gave in" to peer pressure regarding how to act or respond to certain circumstances that required a "right" or "wrong" answer. Yet as I matured into an adult, I discovered that "right" and "wrong" are two very different concepts. Personally, the best example of this can be found in Romans, Chapter 2, verses 14 through 15 in which Paul "refers to the Gentiles who lacked the Mosaic law but who nevertheless followed certain precepts" (Brumley, 2007, Internet). Paul writes "When the Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law unto themselves even though they have not the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts" (the Holy Bible, 1960, 1033).

In essence, Paul is talking… READ MORE

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