The Myth of the “Heroes” of American History
As children in history class, we’re introduced to the so-called “heroes” of American history—the founding fathers and early settlers. Yet, the narratives we’re given often overlook the immense harm and violence they inflicted. Instead of critically examining their actions, we’re taught to praise these figures, with their acts of brutality framed as justified because they supposedly “knew the best way to live,” while others were labeled as “savage.” Were these “founding fathers” ethical?
What happens when we apply the same code of ethics in our interpersonal lives? What does it mean when we idolize murderers and rapists in front of our children? Can we adopt a new moral code and create ethical systems not influenced by unethical historical figures?
The Genocide of Native Americans: A Sanitized Story
I remember learning about the genocide of Native Americans. The focus of our lessons was never on the profound immorality of what colonizers – or so-called “American Revolutionary Heroes” – did to an entire population of people. It was presented as “progress” or “manifest destiny,” as if the colonizers were courageous pioneers bringing civilization to a wild, untamed land. The violence, the destruction, the countless lives lost—these realities are glossed over, sanitized, or excused as part of some greater mission.
The Contradictions of Slavery and American “Greatness”
We’re taught to see figures like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson as “great men” who built the foundation of the United States, but their involvement in slavery is often reduced to a footnote. We’re expected to celebrate them as heroes, ignoring how their actions contradict the values they supposedly stood for.
Questioning the Foundations of Current Systems
In every field—whether it’s science, philosophy, psychology, law, or government—the foundations of the knowledge we rely on today were often laid by individuals who consistently proved to be unethical. We’re expected to overlook the fact that the philosophies and frames of thought held by these early figures shaped the very systems that govern us today. The ideas of justice put into place—no matter how violent or harmful—still influence how we live as a society.
Do we need to continue adhering to these outdated systems? Especially now that we understand their flawed foundations? Are we incapable of adopting a new, more compassionate philosophy for life, justice, and how we coexist as a society?
The Contradictions in Teaching Ethics
I often wonder how much hearing these stories, and the way they were taught, influenced my developing sense of ethics and morality as I grew up. There was a clear inconsistency in how violence was framed: on one hand, I was taught not to hit others because it was “wrong,” but on the other, wars, genocides, and even slavery were somehow justified under certain narratives. This inconsistency planted the seeds of doubt about what was truly considered “right” and “wrong.”
Philosophers and the Pursuit of Power
As I studied philosophy, I realized that as humans, we often seek answers to fundamental questions about right and wrong, good and bad. However, a critical examination of influential philosophers and their ideas reveals a troubling pattern – one where proclaimed virtues and ethical ideals coexist with deeply problematic views that contradict true moral principles.
The Contradiction of “Virtue” and Harm
Many revered philosophers who claimed to have discovered the “best” way to live an ethical life simultaneously held racist, sexist, and harmful beliefs. For example:
- Aristotle, whose ideas shaped Western thought and governance, argued that some people were “natural slaves” and that women were inferior to men. Read more about Aristotle here.
- Immanuel Kant, despite his emphasis on human dignity, expressed racist views about non-European peoples.
- John Locke, a “champion” of natural rights, was involved in the slave trade and justified slavery in his writings.
This jarring contradiction between espoused virtues and actual beliefs calls into question the true motivations behind these philosophical systems.
Power as the Underlying Motive
The coexistence of supposedly ethical philosophies with dehumanizing ideas suggests that many “influential thinkers” were more concerned with maintaining power structures than genuinely pursuing universal moral truths. By manipulating concepts of good and evil, these philosophers often justified systems that kept themselves and their social groups in positions of control and authority.
Religion’s Role in Shaping Morality
The interplay between religion and morality has been a significant force in shaping ethical frameworks, particularly during America’s early years. Many who influenced the nation’s founding, such as John Locke and Thomas Jefferson, drew inspiration from Judeo-Christian traditions.
This fusion of religious and philosophical thought created a complex moral landscape where divine commandments often coexisted with rational ethics.
However, this religious influence on morality was not without contradictions. Religious institutions frequently justified practices like slavery and gender inequality using scriptural interpretations, even as they preached universal love and compassion.
The concept of “manifest destiny,” which drove westward expansion and the displacement of Native Americans, was often framed in religious terms, highlighting the potential for religious morality to be manipulated for political ends.
These inconsistencies challenge us to critically examine the role of religion in ethical discourse and to recognize that moral frameworks, even those with divine claims, are not immune to human biases and power dynamics.
Religion as a Tool for Power and Control
While religion often aims to guide morality, it has frequently been used to control narratives of “good” and “bad” to serve the interests of the powerful. Religious teachings have been manipulated to justify practices like slavery or gender inequality. Thinkers like Machiavelli even noted in “The Prince” how religion could be used to divide and control people, keeping them from challenging true sources of harm.
Read more on this here: What are Power and Ethics? Which One Do You Value?
Redefining Ethics with an Open Mind
I’m not here to dismantle anyone’s faith or beliefs; instead, I want to encourage you to keep an open mind as we question and redefine what it means to lead an ethical and moral life. By setting aside the moral lessons that may have been instilled in us through religious teachings, we can begin to explore what it truly means to live in a way that prioritizes compassion, justice, and the well-being of all. We have the power to create systems and build a society that allows us to live happily among each other, where ethics and morality serve everyone—not just those in positions of power.
The Illusion of Goodness in American Ideals
This realization extends to the very foundation of the American government and the systems it has created. On the surface, the principles of freedom, democracy, and equality are touted as “the best way” to live as a society. But the reality is that these systems were built by men who were far more interested in power than in creating a truly ethical or just society.
The “founding fathers” used the language of good and evil, freedom and oppression, to manipulate and maintain control. Their interest wasn’t in living out the ethical ideals they preached—it was in how they could twist those ideals to justify their dominance.
In learning about these figures in history and philosophy, it’s clear that the systems we live under today are not the product of “good” or “ethical” people seeking to create a better society. Instead, they are the result of centuries of manipulation, violence, and control by those in power. The philosophies we’ve inherited were never meant to serve the greater good—they were designed to keep power in the hands of a few, no matter the cost.
Realizing the Distortion of “Good” and “Bad”
There’s something amazing that happens when you realize that everything you’ve ever been taught about “good” vs. “bad” has been manipulated and distorted. From the start, we’ve been fed a narrative designed not to help us live happier, healthier lives, but to maintain a status quo that ultimately harms us.
The Overwhelm and Liberation of Re-Learning
On one hand, this realization can feel incredibly overwhelming. Suddenly, we’re faced with the task of re-studying and re-learning what it means for something to be “good” or “bad.” Without proper guidance, it can be difficult to develop a clear sense of ethics while unlearning the harmful philosophies that have shaped us, all while still trying to survive in a world that clings to unhealthy views of morality.
On the other hand, it’s also incredibly liberating. This realization opens up a space for us to explore these concepts on our terms, to keep an open heart, and to define for ourselves what it truly means to be good or bad. It allows us to ask bigger questions: What does it mean to live a good life? What ethical principles can we embody that will create the most good for ourselves, those around us, and generations to come?
Redefining Ethics for a Compassionate World
The Good News: Reclaiming Our Power
The good news is, that now that we recognize how our previous systems were built on unethical and immoral philosophies, we have the power to divest our attention from them and stop granting them legitimacy.
I’m not suggesting we can simply wish these systems away—they’ve become deeply embedded in every aspect of our lives, from the media we consume to our education, our work, and even the food we eat. These systems govern most of what we know.
What I am saying, though, is that we can begin to identify the ways in which we hold the power to delegitimize these systems. We can build relationships and communities that prioritize ethical and moral communication and philosophies. At the end of the day, it’s us who are living among each other, forming connections, and shaping our world.
Building Ethical Communities
With every word we speak and in every relationship we nurture, we have the choice to act ethically and responsibly. By changing how we relate to each other on a personal level, we lay the groundwork for larger shifts within our communities and, eventually, society as a whole.
If we shift our focus away from these harmful systems, we can start to create the world we want to live in—a world where healthy relationships, justice, and ethics are defined by us, without needing to ask governments for permission to live a good life.
Little by Little: The Power of Everyday Choices
Every time I’m faced with a monumental challenge, I’m reminded of one simple truth: everything is accomplished little by little. I can move a mountain one rock at a time. When it comes to shifting away from systems of harm, this same principle applies. We don’t need to wait for these figureheads who enforce unethical systems to suddenly change their minds, start acting ethically, or decide to help us. Instead, we can begin reshaping our world with every single choice we make, every single day.
A Philosophy for Ourselves and Our Communities
By consistently making choices that reflect our ethics, we become the solution. With time, these small, daily actions can accumulate into the larger, meaningful shifts we seek. Little by little, we can create the world we want to live in and the world we want our children to live in.
Defining “Good” vs. “Bad”: A Framework for Ethics
When we embark on the journey of defining “good” and “bad” and contemplating what constitutes an ethical, moral life, we encounter two primary approaches. The first method adopts a top-down perspective, beginning with broad societal ethics and gradually narrowing down to personal conduct. This approach examines overarching moral principles and their application to communities, interpersonal relationships, and individual behavior.
On the other hand, the bottom-up approach starts with the ethics of personal relationships and gradually expands outward. This method begins by exploring moral conduct in our immediate interactions, then extends to community ethics, and ultimately considers global ethical implications. Both approaches offer valuable insights into the nature of morality and can help us construct a comprehensive ethical framework.
The Disconnect Between Personal and Societal Ethics
No matter which way we approach it, one thing becomes clear: there’s often a significant disconnect between how we think about ethics in our personal lives and what we accept as ethical behavior on a societal level. This discrepancy stems largely from the way we’ve been taught to excuse harmful actions, rationalizing them as being in the “best interest” of the victim.
Why do we find ways to excuse the unethical behavior of these so-called “founders” of the nation or politicians who have consistently acted without integrity? Why do we justify their actions while claiming that we wouldn’t tolerate the same behavior in our own communities?
When we fail to recognize the harmful behavior of those who claim power and portray themselves as morally superior, we also allow them to define ethics and morality through laws, policing, media, and the judicial system.
By making excuses for people in power who cause harm, we send the message to each other—and our children—that this behavior is acceptable. It teaches that being in a position of “power” is more important than having genuine character, even if that power was gained by causing harm to others.
As a result, we raise generation after generation who adopt the same harmful philosophies as these historical figures, celebrities, and politicians. Is it any wonder, then, that we continue to see so much violence, greed, and suffering today? Why are we shocked when we hear about school shootings after school shootings?
Society has conditioned us to empathize more with the people and systems causing harm than with those who have been harmed. This narrative distorts our sense of ethics, creating a moral divide between personal values and societal norms.
Bridging the Gap: Maintaining Integrity in All Areas of Life
To overcome this disconnect, we need to focus on maintaining integrity between the ethical standards we apply in our personal relationships and how we act as citizens of a society and members of the global community. The same principles of care, compassion, and respect that guide our interactions with loved ones should also extend to how we treat our community and the broader world.
By aligning the ethics we practice in our day-to-day lives with the ethics we expect from society, we can begin to create a more unified, consistent approach to morality—one that values both individual relationships and collective well-being.
If we wouldn’t allow a certain behavior in our personal lives, let’s not make excuses for politicians, celebrities, policymakers, and “leaders”, who exhibit unethical behavior.
An Invitation to Redefine Ethics and Morality
As we close, I want to leave you with a question: If you had the power to redefine “good,” “bad,” “right,” “wrong,” and “justice” from scratch—what would those concepts mean to you? What kind of life or code of ethics would be most beneficial for yourself and the people in your immediate surroundings? And beyond that, what way of life would create the most good for our societies and the world at large?
In future posts, I’ll continue sharing the code of ethics and way of life that I’ve developed over the years—one that has proven beneficial for myself, my loved ones, and, I believe, the world around me. It certainly hasn’t been easy. After hundreds of hours of reading, writing, discussing, and reflecting on what it means to live ethically, I’ve found principles that have truly made a difference.
I’m confident these insights can help us shape our code of ethics, allowing us to continue building communities rooted in compassion, justice, and integrity.
Read more about justice and ethics and the effects of living ethically on a global scale in my previous blog here: The Ethics of Retaliation: Forgive or Seek Revenge?
Learn more about the philosophy behind the creation of the US and insights into the value of power vs. ethics here: What are Power and Ethics? Which One Do You Value?
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