Bamboo Morality

Some people assume that there are universal rules to morality, and I can understand that logic. Like ourselves, we expect our neighbors to operate within bound principles. Also, there is a level of comfort in knowing that people will conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. We need that comfort to establish trust and for our own peace of mind. However, like reality, morality depends on practicalities of actualities. Some cultures may have value systems that are fundamentally distinct from other; hence, universality may not feasible on that level. However, moral uniformity should be conceivable within any given culture regardless of what it may be.

         When associated with power, morality takes on different meanings. For instance, a CEOs moral standard may be framed in terms of profitability and obligations to shareholders. A teacher may have a totally different perception of morality, and a father's morality may take on different shapes outside his home.

 This means that understanding morality will be elusive in the absence of real context. Human tendencies to bamboo to incentives dictate the flexibility of their moral compass. Once power price-tagged its boundaries, there is no need for confinement within any bound principles. Through these lenses, ethics are subject to exploration. Do it once and get away with it will likely expend the horizons of possibilities. Afforded the power to do as one pleases, it is almost certain that one will be unethical or immoral. Although incentives cannot break morality entirely, they can bend it until its no longer considered an obstacle. When exposed to similar circumstances, these bamboo effects will be routinized move the goal post.

Without power morality tends to be submissive: not because of ethical obligations, but fear of consequences. Limited by their impotence or inability to bamboo obstacles, individuals are compelled to operate within set boundaries. A boundary will only feel like a brick wall if you’re not a bulldozer or have wings. However, success as it relates to the overall objectives of individuals will determine the boundaries within which they operate. Evidently, the more successful they are, the more power individuals will think they possess while increasing their emphasis on the bottom line. Consequently, this false sense of power will make morality seem flexible, like a bamboo.


Rapadoo