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Good Reading : May 2004
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32 goodreading While we are grateful the baby boomers broke away from the moral exactitude of previous generations, it has created an ambiguity that has left many feeling uneasy and confused about where they stand on a whole range of issues from biotechnol- ogy to wealth creation. We don’t want to return to the strictures of the past, but how can we deal effectively with the many moral dilemmas we face? Are there ever times when it’s appropri- ate to lie? How do we determine right conduct in a workplace obsessed with the bottom line? Can we reconcile personal ambitions with public respon- sibility? What role, if any, does religion have in shaping our moral code? How might we pursue happiness? In his new book Right & Wrong, Hugh Mackay examines the cur rent moral landscape in detail, and encour- ages us to embrace the possibilities these uncertain times offer by refining our practice of morality. ‘We appear to be on the cusp of another gentle cultural revolution. I’ve not been study- ing social trends at a more interesting time,’ Hugh reflects. No one would deny we live in interesting times, but how can we make sense of what is happening, and frame workable solu- tions that bring ourselves and others greater peace of mind? For Hugh, social cohesion and moral clarity are inextricably linked, because our moral sense is shaped by the realisation that our actions do impact on others. The social fragmen- tation of recent decades hasn’t helped moral clarity – nor has the plethora of choices available to us, because they encourage us to focus in on ourselves. Throughout the book Hugh poses searching questions to help nudge us beyond our tendency towards self- obsession and our desire for easy answers.Would we make a certain choice if others were to lear n what we’re planning? Do we want to be remembered for this particular decision? Would we recommend this approach to our kids? How would we feel about this course of action if we were on our deathbed? As the questions keep coming, Hugh inspires us to think more completely about the issues that continue to haunt us as individuals and as a society.We know little is gained by over- regulation. Obedience doesn’t enhance moral responsibility, it simply promotes a reward/punishment mentality. Moral absolutism is no answer either. If we want to take a more intelligent approach to morality, we can’t fall back on stock responses. Hugh suggests we can start by making more con- scious decisions about our moment by moment choices, because when we’re morally alert, we are more likely to make morally sensitive decisions. He encourages us to take this approach with our children, so that over time they can learn the very real impact of their choices. While this might seem like hard work, it can produce excel- lent results. Schools that have taken this approach with bullying have seen a big turnaround in attitudes, as kids start to realise the very real impact of their actions.The beauty of moral mindful- ness is that it encourages us to take more responsibility for our lives. We can no longer blame our boss or the office siren for our inappropriate behaviour. The demographic least likely to have problems with this approach is people between their teens and early thirties. Having grown up without the social, economic and religious certainties of previous generations, they are used to working out for themselves where they stand on a wide range of issues. And because they are quite relaxed about keeping their options open, they’re far less fazed by the new issues that our constantly changing world presents. This group also appreciates the importance of com- munity, which they nurture through their constant use of emails and mobile phones. The bonds they share are strong, so they’re also well placed to consider the impact of their actions on others. For Hugh, community is a key element in moving forward – as long as this impulse isn’t driven by the desire to escape the moral choices that demand our attention. To aspire to the intimacy and support of village life is healthy, but when it leads to the for mation of gated communities we end up negating the moral responsibilities that being around others offers. How and where we live has a very real impact on our world view, and that is why Hugh believes urban planners are far better placed to contribute to shared values than ethicists. Right and Wrong doesn’t offer moral certainty, because it can’t. Even when we share specific values, we won’t always agree. There are times in contemporary life when we feel so alienated, it is hard to think beyond our own needs.Yet ultimately this feeling is an illusion – ‘we are actually more like the strands of a vast evolving web’, Hugh explains, as he challenges us to face the future with more imagination and optimism. Hugh Mackay’s Right & Wrong: How to Decide Yourself is published by Hodder, rrp $29.95 cultivating moral mindfulness There are no easy answers to the moral dilemma we face in today’s world as MAGGIE HAMILTON discovers. word of mouth mind body spirit
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