Ethics and Morality

Dear Friend,

There's something I've noticed quite a lot recently: how much people seem to cling to illusion of morality and ethics. With the exception of maybe a couple, almost everyone I know is on principle a generally well-grounded and level person. Of course, we all have our flaws and achilles heels; but what I mean is that we have at least half of our heart in our conscience. This is a good thing: being able to recognise right and wrong is something I think should not, and could not rightfully be criticised by anyone. You're probably one of these people, so you'll understand that it seems absolutely laughable the idea that anyone would do so.

Here's the problem: most of the people I know as well as being conscientious, are intelligent and compassionate. Not to sound like someone who hates stupid people or avoids them, but it just seems to be the way it worked out in the end. These in themselves are not bad things either, as you are likely to have noticed. The problem is in that itself.

The right thing to do; the wrong thing to do.
To help out a friend in need; to not help out a friend in need.
To tell an uncomfortable truth; to tell a comfortable lie.
To be kind to the less fortunate; to be selfish and ignore them.


The problem is that some of these people, once they recognise what's 'right' and what's 'wrong' seem to cling desperately to following them for self worth and approval. They may do and say things not because they want to, but because they feel they should. They might need to tell something potentially hurtful to someone, so they lie and twist the meaning (obvious to no one but themselves) for the satisfaction they have done both tell the truth (though they are the only ones that understand the real meaning) and avoid hurt. Perfect to them - they're still the moral and good person in their own eyes.

The problem is, they're actually deceitful. Hiding behind their elaborate words and spun webs of stories, they can see out and no one can see in. You might say things to a lover you feel you should say, because you care about them and feel if you don't it'd hurt them. You should. You do. But you don't want to.
You cheat. You feel you should tell them, but you don't want to.

You become stuck in a 'moral' whirlpool of 'selflessness' and being a 'good person'. No one is allowed to see you fall. To be 'moral' is it not sometimes better to listen to the devil on your shoulder rather than the angel? The devil's speaking through the angel's mouth anyway.


Jump to the point of all of this sleep deprived drivel.



The lines begin to blur between morality, and a contrived morality, which in its own right is completely immoral.


There's someone in your life. You care about them, and so you feel it's right to keep them there and have them there. The problem is, you don't want them there at all: they've hurt you, deceived you and made an utter fool out of you. They sugar coated everything; made you believe things you shouldn't have. But you wanted to, so you did.
They're your 'friend'. But in no way are they a friend - they've said and done things you would never have forgiven from someone else. You should cut them out, but you don't want to. So you do what you 'should' do anyway: false enthusiasm, false interest, false conversation, false McFriendship.

You care about them, so you keep them there. Because that's what you should do. Because it's so hard to break out of your illusion of being such a good person and telling them you in fact do care about them, but do not like them in the slightest - the care only spawns from past events and tempting nostalgia - and wish they'd leave your life forever. Some things can't be forgiven, no matter how good a person you are.



We're all human, and none of us are remotely perfect. So let's stop trying to be.




(I'm sorry if this makes no sense, but it makes sense to me. I'm quite tired)