This was technically homework, that we didn't have to post, but I liked it and wanted to share. We were supposed to write about a few principles that govern our lives.
" Alright, I find that I convey my thoughts best in a free write type environment. That being said I’ll just list some general principles and expand on them. Note these ethics are not in any sort of order of priority. They are all just things that make a difference in many of my decisions.
1. Golden Rule
Whether it’s just in my blood, or my parents instilled it in my at an early age I don’t know, but I have always had a strong “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” complex. For example, I like my peace and quiet when I’m trying to do homework on campus. So I assume others would like the same. If I’m doing homework in the same hallway as a stranger, I don’t turn on music, or have a 45 minute phone conversation, it just seems rude.
2. What if everyone was like this?
I tend to think in terms of “what if everyone acted this way?” For example, if I try to spend time with a girl, and she turns out to be busy, sometimes there’s a temptation to think “fine! I’ll just never call them again” and brood. But it’s not like I’ve never turned someone down because I was busy. If everyone quit after one frustration in a friendship, all communication would cease. Not that I believe everyone should act the same as me (we’re glad not everyone is a CS major), I just want to make sure my choices have their place in a healthy society.
3. What effect will it have on the relationship
One of the most powerful principles my parents ever taught me was that relationships are more important than events/things. I remember vividly at a very young age upsetting my younger brother somehow (I probably hit him, or took a toy, or something stupid like that) and my Mom told me it doesn’t matter why I did it, either way I’ve damaged my trust with my brother now. This has helped IMMENSELY in my life. It has been much easier to drop an argument when I think about how the relationship is more important than being right. Or to do something I don’t feel like doing when I realize how much it means to the other person. Or any number of applications.
4. Is it morally in line with the church
For the most part this is a knee-jerk response rather than something I think about consciously. But I definitely try to live my life within all the bounds of the church. I’ve never taken long to consider drugs or murder or pornography as being good ideas after all. I generally do my best to live within the standards of the church. And the times I fail I’m not usually acting under the assumption I’m doing something right, more likely I’m justifying my weakness, or not thinking at all.
5. Legality
Whether something is legal or not is also important to me. I was constantly on edge even for things as dumb as being in the park after 10:30. A big exception I can think of is I used to skip class a fair amount back in high school guilt free…
6. Am I drawn to it
Having a passion or interest in what I’m doing is important. I wasn’t drawn to sports, so I didn’t get into sports. I wasn’t drawn to art, so I didn’t get into art. I was interested in computers, so I spent time on computers. If I want to spend more time with someone, I try to find opportunities with them. Otherwise I probably won’t. This to me seems like a general human nature rule rather than a Corby-specific principle, but I thought I’d mention anyway.
I doubt this is a comprehensive list, however it covers a good amount of bases."
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