DID you know that the Ethics subject in college is more than just a collection of boring theories?
Some students believe that Ethics is pointless because they already have the Bible. I follow a religion too and I believe that our Noble Book contains the solution to society's ills. But Ethics doesn’t wish to replicate religion. Moreover, not everyone is raised in a religious household, and not all religious people adhere to their religious teachings. Some people do not believe in religion at all, and some of them treat other human beings better.
A few weeks ago, I met my sister-in-law Hasmiene D. Ibrahim, the Chief Internal Auditor of the Office of the Chief Minister, BARMM, on the same day she arrived from Japan. She and other key officials from the Office of the Chief Minister, BARMM spent a week in Hiroshima to learn about their local government administration practices. Like us, she is aware that Japanese people are kind and respectful but I guess it hits differently when you experience firsthand what you've only seen on the internet. She was amazed when she met one mayor who did not lock his door throughout the day and night so that people could come to him freely. The mayor's trust in the goodness of people and sense of safety reminded me of our Oriental Philosophy class in college.
Japan's moral principles are greatly influenced by Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who emphasized the importance of harmonious relationships. In the 5th century C.E., Confucianism spread from China to Japan, and until centuries later, the Confucian ethical principles are still evident in Japan. His philosophy includes values such as humanity, loyalty, humility, and morality. Although the majority of Japanese are Atheists, their moral principles consistently rank them among the top ten of the most peaceful countries. This only shows that ethical behavior doesn't necessarily stem from religious beliefs but from a deep-seated commitment to moral values.
I don’t regard Japan to be a Utopia or that the Japanese are infallible human beings. In fact, non-Japanese often experienced discrimination and social exclusion from the locals. Ethics can expose us to different ethics such as Confucianism and can help us understand why moral deliberations are important.
Every day we have to make moral decisions from as simple as whether to press the snooze button or wake up when our alarm goes off to whether we shift to another course that we like or stay because it's what our parents want. If we look closely, our choices directly affect the wider world around us, too, and Ethics can improve our sense of responsibility not only for our well-being but also for other people around us. If you cannot be religious, at least be a good person.
