What’s more, when self-interest is the controlling
justification for moral behavior, moral reasoning is replaced by a pragmatic
cost-benefit analysis that invites rationalizations and condones selfishness.
When people are kind, honest, or respectful only when there’s a pay-off, or
obey rules only when they think the risk of punishment is too great, ethical
behavior is just an investment. Judging by the amount of lying, cheating, and
other dishonorable conduct out there, it’s not generally regarded as a good
investment.
Too often honesty and other virtues impede rather
than improve chances for success. For those who are unwilling to pay dues for
their integrity, ethics simply costs more than they’re willing to pay.
But there is an undervalued benefit of good
character, a benefit we can promote in good faith to our kids, students, and
employees: people who struggle to be good and decent have better relationships.
Traits like honesty, responsibility, compassion, and
respectfulness may seem like expensive luxuries, but they’re priceless assets
when it comes to building enduring and rewarding relationships with our
spouses, children, friends, and co-workers. For most people, good relationships
marked by love, respect, and kindness are the best road to happiness. When you
think of it, that’s really quite a pay-off.
About the author: Michael Josephson is one of the
nation’s most sought-after and quoted ethicists. Founder and president of
Josephson Institute and its CHARACTER COUNTS! project, he has conducted
programs for more than 100,000 leaders in government, business, education,
sports, law enforcement, journalism, law, and the military. Mr. Josephson is
also an award-winning radio commentator.
This article was published by the Josephson
Institute.
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