![Right, Wrong, and the Morals of Ethics](https://cdn.magzter.com/1441393360/1720701311/articles/MXW1jrYnI1721719529402/RIGHT-WRONG-AND-THE-MORALS-OF-ETHICS.jpg)
Q: To break the ice, tell us three fun facts about yourself.
Fact number one: My father was a rabbi, two of my three brothers are rabbis, and one of my two daughters is a rabbi. I am surrounded by spiritual people.
Fact number two: I put myself through graduate school as a massage therapist. Fact number three: I have a hang gliding license.
Q: Wow, that's cool.
How would you define ethics in the simplest way?
My definition of ethics is not in textbooks or the dictionary: Ethics is how we determine, express, and assess our values in the world. Morality is how we establish, maintain, and conduct our relationships as expressions of those values.
Q: I remember you sharing that on the first day of class. It's not about what is right and wrong, but a conflict of two rights. That really struck a chord with me.
I think we're taught about ethics incorrectly. We're taught it's about determining right and wrong, and sometimes it is.
With children, you need to set the fundamentals: It's wrong to steal, it's wrong to be violent, it's wrong to lie in certain cases. But once you've got those fundamentals down, the rest of your life is spent figuring out a different question: I have a set of values I want to express in the world, so what do I do when they come into conflict? That's what ethical dilemmas are.
They're rarely about right and wrong. We phrase it as, "What's the right thing to do here?", but what we really mean is, "What's the best right thing to do here?" because there's not just one right thing, there are many right things to do.
I teach ethics to doctors, and give them cases about conflicts of values. The patient wants to do one thing, while another thing is in their best interest; a patient's autonomy is a good value, a doctor's responsibility to take care of their patients is a good value, and they can't both be honored.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Aging Gracefully - For a few months now I have been asking the question, “How to age gracefully?”](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/uhwOCsyEg1725280928612/crp_aging-aging-gracefully-behavior-outlook-on-aging-maturity-growing-up-Heartfulness-meditation-time-alone.jpg)
Aging Gracefully - For a few months now I have been asking the question, “How to age gracefully?”
Victor Kannan explores the process of aging, with a focus on aging gracefully. How can you be at peace with yourself as old age approaches? How can you develop maturity in behavior and focus on life’s best interests?
![Portrait Painting](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/k3x_bHovZ1725281573366/PORTRAIT-PAINTING.jpg)
Portrait Painting
FABIO KOHLER is an artist and musician.
![The Mountain of No Return](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/nCHL0YJtb1725281232456/THE-MOUNTAIN-OF-NO-RETURN.jpg)
The Mountain of No Return
SARA BUBBER tells a beautiful Japanese folktale on valuing wisdom and experience and asks you to do a personal reflective exercise.
![By Acts of Love](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/YapYRvmef1725281051313/BY-ACTS-OF-LOVE.jpg)
By Acts of Love
CHRISTINE PRISLAND shares her love of books, good storytelling, and a particular author that inspires and delights her
![How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/LG6ZR0zkA1725280541964/HOW-DOES-FEAR-AFFECT-OUR-ROLES-AS-MOTHERS.jpg)
How Does Fear Affect Our Roles as Mothers?
NEELAM SHIVHARE explores some of the great ancient texts of India on motherhood, compares the behavior of Kaikayi and Yashoda, and realizes the importance of removing fear from our hearts in order to nurture our children.
![The Difference Between Trust and Respect](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/fRg3x_J0d1725280376728/THE-DIFFERENCE-BETWEEN-TRUST-AND-RESPECT.jpg)
The Difference Between Trust and Respect
DR. ICHAK ADIZES shares some thoughts on the nature of mutual trust and respect, and why we can trust without respecting, and respect without trusting.
![A SIMPLE WAY TO IMPROVE Your Health and the Health of the Planet](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/i2JPQg4Ri1725280162902/A-SIMPLE-WAY-TO-IMPROVE-YOUR-HEALTH-AND-THE-HEALTH-OF-THE-PLANET.jpg)
A SIMPLE WAY TO IMPROVE Your Health and the Health of the Planet
DAAJI explains why a plantbased diet is good for your health and well-being, and for the planet. Some of the reasons may surprise you. Yogic science is very comprehensive on this subject, and now medical science is catching up. Daaji then challenges us all to do an experiment for three months.
![International Cities of Peace](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1817991/EDw1MutrR1725279769367/INTERNATIONAL-CITIES-OF-PEACE.jpg)
International Cities of Peace
J. FREDERICK ARMENT is in conversation with CHRISTINE JONES about his organization, International Cities of Peace, as well as other ways he promotes peace in the world. The foundation of it all is the importance of relationship, community, and love. This is the first of a series of conversations.
![THE SEEKER OF KNOWLEDGE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1801922/Z1gHnJaxq1724239383848/THE-SEEKER-OF-KNOWLEDGE.jpg)
THE SEEKER OF KNOWLEDGE
SARA BUBBER shares a story from the Upanishads about knowledge, communication, truthfulness, and courage. She then gives us a few reflections and an activity to connect with Nature.
![Serving Smiles: FROM HEART TO TABLE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11306/1801922/dLZ96nj6S1724239195385/SERVING-SMILES-FROM-HEART-TO-TABLE.jpg)
Serving Smiles: FROM HEART TO TABLE
NIROOP PRABHAKAR owns and runs the restaurant 615chutney in Nashville, Tennessee. 615chutney started as the only Indian food truck serving vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free South Indian food. Niroop's goal was to bring South Indian cuisine to the US. He believes that customer service is the key. The voices of his customers and employees matter to him. Here he is interviewed by the Heartfulness Wellness team.