Letter

Question: I am currently taking a class in ethics at a community

college in Central Florida. I am having a problem finding correlating material to some of

what our instructor espouses. Not even our textbook mentions anything about

what he insists is one of the fundamentals of ethics; something he calls “The

Ethical Benchmark”. He claims that the Bible is “The Ethical Benchmark”

for our society and that everything we do must be judged against it. He

further claims that “The Benchmark” never has changed and that it never will

change and scoffs at situational ethics. I have several problems with such an

outlook, primarily because I am not a Christian, secondly since I

disagree that a document of such antiquity can apply absolutely to our current

society. I would very much appreciate your help in finding a source of

information discussing “The Ethical Benchmark” concept from a critical

standpoint, or any standpoint actually. Thank you so much for your

help!

Answer: from Gene Bedley

Thanks for getting in touch regarding your question on “Ethical

Benchmarks”. While I’m not familiar with this specific term, it’s an

interesting and thought provoking question.

Benchmarks, like bedrock ethics, imply there are specific, eternal truths

that are connected to events and time and will hold up in any decade, day or

decision. While our definition may not be as pure as all truths are

absolute, ( we believe there are some gray areas) let’s test the hypothesis.

As Plato proved, ethics do not equal laws except in a perfect society.

We don’t live in a perfect society and we have never seen or will see a

perfect society. Simply stated laws come from ethics. Which means ethics are

more universal and eternal and larger truths from which laws are derived. We

often say ethics and think laws and rules to govern and live by.

The 10 commandments are laws. Five of them have to do with our relation to

God and five of them have to do with our relation to others. They come from the

ethic that God knows best and has man’s best interest in our relationships to

himself and others. All of which would be a step of faith. You would have to

believe there is a God and that he loves you and created guidelines to assist

you in living your life. The other options include:

1. Rely on my own thoughts, discoveries, knowledge and feeling as sources

to develop truth and ethics to live my life by. This also requires faith .

Faith in my bank account. Faith I will stay alive. Faith in my parents. Faith

that my truths are absolute and will give me the abundant life now and

forever. Faith that my thinking is not faulty, etc.

2. Rely on others thoughts, discoveries ,knowledge and feelings as

source to truth and ethics to live my life by. This also requires faith. Faith

that I’m going to stay alive and I’ll worry about eternal things later. Faith

that they have the essence of truth. Faith that they can rely on their

discoveries. Faith that their thinking is not faulty and I can rely exclusively

on their findings and feelings.

The question is… Is there a right way to treat each other that is

timeless? Is there a right way to get on the freeway? Is there a universal code of

ethics that if I live by it, it will serve me as well as others?

Since the major problems in life are spiritual and require spiritual

solutions… What would be your five guidelines (commandments) (ethics)

about your relation to others, and what would be your five guidelines

(commandments) (ethics) about your relations to your creator? Do you have one to live

by?

Jesus had a simple ethical principal to live by. He simply said treat

others the way you want to be treated, which has come to be known as the Golden

Rule. Jesus also said honor the Lord your God with all your heart and love

your neighbors as yourself.

– Gene Bedley