What is ethical morality?
An ethical life is lived one day at a time

by William Edelen - Syndicated Columnist

What does it mean to live and do justly? It means not cheating anybody, including ourselves. It applies to all human relationships, business and social. It implies truth, for the just person is honest and candid in communication. We live in an interdependent world and none of us lives to himself alone. As we would that others should do to us, so must we do to them.

What is “moral?” Immanuel Kant gives us this definition: “Act always ... so that the immediate motive of thy will may become a universal rule for all intelligent beings.” This sentiment lies at the foundation of any community, or individual, morally evolving. It should become a commandment for every daily choice that we make. And if not a commandment, at least the strongest consideration. To ask: “What would my community be like if everyone in the community chose to act as I am about to act?”

What is ethical morality? To realize that with every choice we make, karma is activated and comes into play. Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed. The end pre-exists in every choice that we make. It is what Emerson calls the “law of compensation.” “As we are, so we do: and as we do, so is it done to us.”

Human culture cannot be sustained unless ethical values enter into every daily activity and are a part of every choice that we make. Daily choices are the engine that runs human evolution. It is by daily choices that our lives, individually and collectively, become either degraded or ennobled. It is the “Sunday morality” that degrades a community. Where decency, justice, ethical behavior, love and compassion are flouted, made mockery of, for six days and then piously and hypocritically reinstated on the seventh.

Ordinary human beings, like you and like me, all over the world are deciding our future by what we accept or reject in the secrecy of our own hearts. We are deciding it not only by what we are choosing to do to defend ethical values, but by choosing the extent to which, within ourselves, we incorporate those values.

The future of this community, this state and nation, is being shaped and formed every minute, not just by statesman and leaders but by those whose names are not known 50 miles from home. By those who are making choices, daily, that either degrade or enoble, that will make or break their community, as well as their own lives. Their choices will be determined by their own character, convictions, ideals, ethics, values and vision. Issues are decided not only by how we vote, but far more important, by what we are.

William Edelen is the author of several books including "Spirit Dance."  He lives in Palm Springs, Calif.