Comments on: Getting a thick(er) view of ethics http://www.justindetmers.com/?p=133 deliberate musings & etc. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:09:04 -0700 hourly 1 By: Justin http://www.justindetmers.com/?p=133&cpage=1#comment-3640 Justin Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:51:13 +0000 http://www.justindetmers.com/?p=133#comment-3640 Good question Jer, I totally hear ya. I start with the assumption that a change of heart/mind will always precede a change in behavior, I think that's why I'm abstract so often. ;) But practical things could look things like: - Giving money to UNICEF, the Lansing Food Bank, or non-profit organizations like I've linked under the "Do Good" heading on my blogroll. - Buying fair-trade and boycotting Wal-Mart and other corporations that profit from oppressive labor practices. - Also, the trips like the ones I've done with Riv to Mexico or Minneapolis have had a wonderful emphasis on housing, education, and family systems; all these combat the systemic nature of poverty. And basically everything that Back2Back Ministries does is ethically "thick" and could use supporters & willing souls. - Give a needy/broken car-person a ride (which now that think about could get me murdered and should stop this) - Buy homeless people food, don't give cash! ...These are simple ways we can directly "bite" at the issue. But, I also think it's good to "bark" about these issues to educate people. Consumers and voters have so much untapped potential to shape policy, primarily because we're in the dark. - Influence gov't (calling a Senator): Gov't can address, worsen, or ignore inequalities by setting up programs or regulating a fallen world. It's amazing how the New Deal helped people since the Great Depression or how benevolent programs give people a more level playing field...and then, on the other side of the coin, it's amazing to see how de-regulation has privileged a few at the expense of so many and effectively widened the gaps between the rich and poor. A quick and very incomplete thought, xoxo Good question Jer, I totally hear ya. I start with the assumption that a change of heart/mind will always precede a change in behavior, I think that’s why I’m abstract so often. ;) But practical things could look things like:
- Giving money to UNICEF, the Lansing Food Bank, or non-profit organizations like I’ve linked under the “Do Good” heading on my blogroll.
- Buying fair-trade and boycotting Wal-Mart and other corporations that profit from oppressive labor practices.
- Also, the trips like the ones I’ve done with Riv to Mexico or Minneapolis have had a wonderful emphasis on housing, education, and family systems; all these combat the systemic nature of poverty. And basically everything that Back2Back Ministries does is ethically “thick” and could use supporters & willing souls.
- Give a needy/broken car-person a ride (which now that think about could get me murdered and should stop this)
- Buy homeless people food, don’t give cash!
…These are simple ways we can directly “bite” at the issue. But, I also think it’s good to “bark” about these issues to educate people. Consumers and voters have so much untapped potential to shape policy, primarily because we’re in the dark.
- Influence gov’t (calling a Senator): Gov’t can address, worsen, or ignore inequalities by setting up programs or regulating a fallen world. It’s amazing how the New Deal helped people since the Great Depression or how benevolent programs give people a more level playing field…and then, on the other side of the coin, it’s amazing to see how de-regulation has privileged a few at the expense of so many and effectively widened the gaps between the rich and poor.

A quick and very incomplete thought,

xoxo

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.justindetmers.com/?p=133&cpage=1#comment-3639 Jeremy Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:08:57 +0000 http://www.justindetmers.com/?p=133#comment-3639 I think there are some good points here, but I'm getting lost in generalities. Do you have any specific suggestions or examples of things folks can do to live out what you are talking about? Sometimes I find it hard to precisely pinpoint specific action points in my life and move forward, especially when it is not a natural point of emphasis for me. I've seen that you have a huge passion for helping those in need, I would love to hear the ways in which that has propelled you to take action. I'm not asking you to brag yourself up, but it's always good to connect the philosophy of an idea with a ground level view. -Jer I think there are some good points here, but I’m getting lost in generalities. Do you have any specific suggestions or examples of things folks can do to live out what you are talking about? Sometimes I find it hard to precisely pinpoint specific action points in my life and move forward, especially when it is not a natural point of emphasis for me. I’ve seen that you have a huge passion for helping those in need, I would love to hear the ways in which that has propelled you to take action. I’m not asking you to brag yourself up, but it’s always good to connect the philosophy of an idea with a ground level view.
-Jer

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