Question of the Day

[ayoub]

What makes you do the right thing?

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Desires sometimes make people do the wrong thing, and I'm wondering, is "doing the right thing" driven by other desires, or just ideals?

Comments

[childeofloki.livejournal.com]

I am driven to do the right thing out of carefully determined morals, and the shame I feel if I break them.
Not guilt, but shame.

To answer the other part, I think a lot of people do it out of a desire to match an ideal.

[patchworld.livejournal.com]

My faith! :)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

It's the right thing to do

[pyxiwulf.livejournal.com]

it's ingrained. for most situations I can't comprehend people who choose to do wrong.

[bronxelf-ag001.livejournal.com]

right for who?

[amante-donne.livejournal.com]

when i decide to do the right thing it is my conscience that make me do it.

[1jodie.livejournal.com]

i do what i think is right. it's part of my morals and values... and partly my instincts.

and i think it's important to note that what one considers "right" isn't always what another person thinks it is.

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

Fear. Next question.

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

I can totally comprehend them except for rapists. That's something I can't see any rational for in any way shape or form.

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

Another way to look at it: there really isn't "right" or "wrong." Simply consequences. Some consequences you may want nothing to do with, like say what happens if you murder someone. But others, you have to weigh what the price of each decision will be.

[mousie.livejournal.com]

morals, A sense of caring for others.. that sort of thing that some are lacking terribly

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

The solitary thought of knowing that I have to live with me and the choices I make.

[eithnepdb.livejournal.com]

Pure, unadulterated, fear of going to hell for all eternity ;P

[nantosvelta.livejournal.com]

partly wanting to do what's right (morals or whatnot) and partly not wanting to get caught. jail doesn't really sound like much fun.

[cookie-chef.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that I can answer that except to say that living my life without regrets doesn't mean that my choices should be made selfishly or at the expense of others. Morals, principles and convictions factor into choices. As does ultimately being an example for my step and godchildren.

[ktsies2.livejournal.com]

You don't always know it's the right thing when you're making the decision...sometimes you just get lucky :)

[isis-lives.livejournal.com]

Desire makes me do the right thing sometimes. I don't generally think of things as right or wrong, just move along doing the best I can do.

[fox-bard.livejournal.com]

I work hard to treat others the way I would like to be treated. Sometimes my natural empathy is my undoing, but it serves to keep my personal gravity in check.

I had this thought before going to sleep last night, make of it what you will: Sin is for those who like to flirt with temptation. Honour is for those who draw a definitive line in the sand.

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

You could call it a lot of things...faith, moral code, conscience, guilt...all of the above.

[kelly-pink.livejournal.com]

Easy...my desire to be a good person, to contribute to society, life and those I love. My absolute desire to leave those who know me and the world a little better for being here...yes, my Daddy drilled this into my head. ..

[lipzofs0rr0w.livejournal.com]

define right.

[photodiva02.livejournal.com]

I think it was just bred in me. LOL

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

My values, my family, my friends.

They keep me honest.

[hippie-geisha.livejournal.com]

...when I have other people to consider.

[miintikwa.livejournal.com]

See my entry.

Sometimes the smallest thing makes the biggest difference. AKA the butterfly effect.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

:) That's why I love you.

Oh, and ditto.

[beloved-juno.livejournal.com]

My morals and principles are extremely important to me, as is my self image. You've probably noticed that I like myself a hell of a lot. I'm intensely proud of who I am, what I believe in, and how I live my life. No one's perfect, but I strive to be as perfect as I can be (by my own definitions of the word, anyway) and I think I do a hell of a job.

So I guess to answer your question, my pride is a big part of what keeps me on the straight and narrow. I prize and take care of my clean conscience as obsessively as most girls do their hair or their skin. It's one of the things I value most about myself hands down.

[heardthatnoise.livejournal.com]

I make me do the right thing.

[castlelady.livejournal.com]

That's a good question, especially since I sometimes wonder in certain situations what the right and wrong thing is.

[bronxelf-ag001.livejournal.com]

very, very agreed.

[kathyrene.livejournal.com]

Usually instinct. Sometimes fear of getting into trouble.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I agree :D

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I tend to think along the lines of chiropteraclan's answer above :D

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

I prefer approaching decisions from this worldview because it empowers me to take responsibility for my choices, rather than being told what to do by an institution or authority. I wish that our judicial system looked at "criminal" activity in such a way that those who commit offenses have a punishment that in some way makes actual restitution to the victims. Granted you cannot restore a life if a life is taken, but in some way there should be some kind of restitution made to those left behind.