How to Make Ethical Decisions Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences. While morals are concerned with principles of right and wrong in general, ethics are related to right and wrong conduct of an individual in a particular situation. Whereas morals are customs established […]
Are Morals and Ethics the Same? Read More »
Understanding the Causes of and Treatments for Compulsive Buying Disorder Do you find yourself battling uncontrollable urges? We tend to think of things like excessive drinking, smoking, eating, gambling, using drugs, and the like. Well, I do not suffer from urges in these habits. Instead, I’m what you would call a Shopaholic, which is usually applied
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Striving to Be a Better Person What Does “Doing good by being good” mean? Simply stated, it highlights the idea that when one acts with kindness and compassion (being good) it will lead to positive actions and outcomes (doing good). It suggests that a person’s inherent goodness, their moral character, is the foundation for their helpful and
What Does the Expression “Doing good by being good” Mean? Read More »
Can We Find Ways to Come Together as a Society? I have previously blogged about civility. It’s obviously a problem today in government and politics. Some blame it on the style of communication of President Donald Trump. I understand why these critics believe this to be the case. I think it’s fair to say it’s not so
Building a More Civil Society Read More »
Understanding the Characteristic Traits of Behavior Years ago, I watched a fantastic show that is streaming online called Homeland. I decided to watch it again, seeking to bett6er understand the bipolar disorder that afflicts the main character—Carrie Mathison. The cast is terrific including the star, Claire Danes, a CIA officer from 2011 to 2020. Danes stars as
Analyzing the Portrayal of Bipolar Disorder in the show, Homeland Read More »
Guidance on Dealing With Bipolar Disorder Last week I blogged about bipolar disorder and how triggering behaviors can affect relationships with others. I suggest you read that blog if you have not already done so. One reason is I discuss the symptoms and actions of Carrie Mathison, the main character in the hit streaming show, Homeland, and how her
Impulsivity and Poor Judgment Trigger Bipolar Behavior Read More »
What Will It Take to Be More Considerate of Others? While many people think compassion and empathy are the same, the fact is there are important differences. By discussing each as a separate ethical value, we can begin to see how each might influence ethical behavior and the response of one individual to another’s actions
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Analyzing the Causes and Possible Solutions to Gun Violence in Our Schools Add impulse control to the list of reasons mass shootings occur, especially at our schools. The shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin by a 15-year-old female student that left three dead, including the shooter from a self-inflicted wound, and six
Lack of Impulse Control is the Root Cause of Mass Shootings Read More »
Being Intentional in Teaching Ethics Aristotle has said: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” This means a lot to me as I strive to inculcate ethical values in my students. Can we teach students to be ethical? This is something I’ve thought about a lot during my 30+ years
Is There a “Best” Way to Teach Ethics? Read More »
Can We Save Society from Rampant Incivility? By age sixteen, George Washington had copied out by hand, 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior In Company and Conversation. They are based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. The first rule is: “Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of
The Lost Art of Civility Revisited Read More »