Have you ever watched the news and found yourself wondering how people can commit grievous crimes, such as theft and murder, and cause such immense pain and suffering to others?
I did, recently. I wondered whether these individuals have any sense of compassion, morality, or ethics. Then I read a quote that struck me deeply:
“Right is right even if no one is doing it;
Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”
-- Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine lived from 340 to 430 A.D. Yet, his quote still holds true in 2024. It always will because it reflects the right or wrong moral integrity and a lack of responsibility among some people. I constantly ask myself why these people don’t appear to know right from wrong.
(In case you wonder who and what decides right from wrong, laws are established to regulate right from wrong. Judith Martin (AKA Miss Manners) states, “Laws come into effect when etiquette fails.” This confirms my belief that as long as a person acts and makes decisions based on…
- Goodness
- Respect
- Consideration
- Honesty
- Kindness
- Manners, and
- Etiquette…
... the person will never choose to commit wrongful acts.)
In researching this question via multiple sources, including AI, here are five perspectives on why I think people might choose to commit wrong acts and how society could overcome them:
1. Peer Pressure and Social Influences. People often succumb to the pressure of peers and societal norms, engaging in wrongful behaviors to fit in and gain acceptance, especially when they live in an area where everyone confirms the same sentiments.
What to do: Develop independent thinking and moral self-sufficiency, fostering environments where diverse thoughts are respected. Empathy and understanding will also reduce judgmental attitudes toward those who choose to be different.
2. Lack of Empathy and Moral Development. When people are not exposed or taught to have mental and moral reasoning, this leads to disregard. They do not know, understand, or care about the consequences of their words and actions on others.
What to do: Promote empathy through education and experiences that encourage perspective-taking. Parents and teachers must foster moral development through ethical education and discussions that will provide opportunities to engage in altruistic acts. Doing so cultivates a sense of empathy and compassion.
3. Psychological Factors and Emotional Distress. Trauma, mental illness, or emotional distress often result in impaired judgment. This then leads a person to engage in harmful behaviors as a coping mechanism or expression of their inner turmoil because they were never taught to know any other way to cope.
What to do: It is crucial to have access to mental health support and intervention and to get therapy and counseling services that promote self-awareness and emotional regulation skills. We also need to create supportive communities where individuals feel safe to seek help without stigma.
4. Misinformation and Manipulation. Misinformation, propaganda, and manipulation tactics can distort individuals' perceptions of reality and lead them to believe that their wrongful actions are justified or necessary.
What to do: Society must promote media literacy and critical thinking skills to discern fact from fiction. Doing so will foster open and transparent communication channels, hold those who spread misinformation accountable, and promote ethical journalism and responsible use of media platforms to counteract harmful narratives.
5. Socioeconomic Factors and Desperation. Disparities of every kind and systemic injustices can push individuals towards criminal activities out of necessity, desperation, and a falsely perceived lack of alternatives.
What to do: Current reports now turn to core societal problems to solve poverty, including:
- Equitable access to education, employment, and housing opportunities
- Social safety nets to support marginalized communities, and
- Advocating for fair justice systems that prioritize rehabilitation over punitive measures.
These are some of the keys to resolving today's issues for a better tomorrow.
I have only touched on the tip of the iceberg on this topic. What other influences do you have to share as to why people don’t seem to know right from wrong?
If you would like the rest of my eight tips, please email me at info@advancedetiquette.com, with the Subject line: Right and Wrong.
Happy Practicing!
Hats off for your tips on right and wrong. Well said.
I will vote for you if you run for President.
Hello A.P.: Thanks for writing. LOL, when I read the comment about me running for president, it was very funny. Although politics is constantly in the news, and the U.S. is in a major election year, all over the world, we see individuals (known and unknown) display wrong behaviors. It was because of discovering St. Augustine’s quote that I wanted to share a few perspectives. I hope this article helps you and others better understand the true principles of right and wrong and what every individual can always do to make the right choices.