One Life – Ethics? Where Do They Come From?
Most people consider themselves to be ethical. Do you? If not please click out now, but if you do consider yourself an ethical person, let me ask you “Where do your ethics come from?” There are really only four possible answers and three of them are demonstratably unworkable. For instance, an answer you might give would be whatever the majority in a culture or nation believes to be ethical is ethical. Of course this answer only works if you agree with the majority. If the majority should vote and consider the murder of your ethnic group to be morally and ethically acceptable it would no longer be a viable answer.
An alternative would be that an “enlightened” minority could force their definition of ethical behavior on the majority as in Russia, China, and is presently in process in America. Again, as long as their definition agrees with yours that’s fine. But if the powerful minority determined to send your group to concentration camps because of their faith… Again, not good
You might say that ethics are whatever you think they are as an individual, that each person has the right to define ethics for themselves. That too is foolishness as we see everyday in the news as one man cheats another or takes his life because their definitions or desires differ. We can’t live in an anarchistic world.
Dostoevsky said “Without God everything is permissible.” He was right. Without an extrinsic source that is greater than and outside of ourselves to provide a basis, we are lost and unable to have a workable foundation for determining ethics or morality. It really is that simple. If there is no God, and no consequences in a life after death, anything goes. The only sin is to get caught and if I am strong enough or smart enough to hurt you to benefit myself and get away with it – too bad for you. Your guess as to what is ethical is as good as mine but no better and either the rule of force or the will of the majority will rule. History has clearly shown neither works! Think about it. What’s your base? For me, God rocks.
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Buck Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of The C12 Group, LLC - Christian CEO and mentor. Buck has an extensive background in successful organizational development based on the principles found in scripture. The motto of the C12 group is "Building great companies for a greater purpose." 
Buck (Dad!),
You have a great way of boiling something down to the essense of what it is; or isn’t. I’m so glad to have a chance to revisit some of our talks via your website. Now I can think back on what you have so often shared with me, and smile with the knowledge that I am passing it on to the next generation.
Maybe I’ll spare them future lectures from me and just direct the boys to your blog! Seriously!
Keep it coming! I think God rocks, and you are a chip off the old block!