Ethics: The need for a Conceptual Framework

Ethics is undefined and its universality denied by most people. Yet the answers have been available for thousands of years. Every meaningful code of conduct incorporated the last six of the Biblical ten commandments. Human philosophy and rhetoric has not and cannot, in itself, find suitable answers to daily ethical dilemmas. Conceptual ethical principles or concepts appear the only way to address the many possible facets of ethics. Many failed attempts have been made or suggested to improve unethical human behaviour. The reason is that an unethical mindset and consequently behaviour, is subject to the choices of the individual and the neural pathways and patterns formed by those choices over time. In addition, humans do not have the inherent ability to change themselves or pick themselves up by their shoelaces. Once people realize their unethical state of mind and its destructive results on self and society they can choose to change, yet cannot do so by themselves. To restore and heal a sick human attitude and mind require a great Physician and there is only one.