By Mark A. Schmidtke
The phrase “do the right thing” has echoed throughout history, credited to many notable figures.
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and stoic philosopher, famously stated, “always do the right thing – the rest doesn’t matter.” Author Mark Twain remarked, “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” More contemporarily, filmmaker Spike Lee used “Do the Right Thing” as the title for one of his movies.
Further examination of the context under which the phrase is used implies that, at least in the opinion of those using it, doing the right thing isn’t so easy. That prompts some important questions: What exactly is the “right thing?” How is it determined, and by whom?
For many people, religion helps answer these questions. Religious teachings often guide followers on how to live a good life – people of faith rely on religious leaders and holy books to help them understand what is moral and good. Some believe that society is struggling because fewer people follow religious traditions today. However, not everyone agrees that religion is the only or best source of moral values.
Religion shows how culture can shape our ideas of right and wrong. But it’s only one example of cultural influence, as other parts of life also influence our morals — like family, school, and firsthand experiences. They all help us build our own sense of what’s right.
Philosopher Immanuel Kant had a different view. He believed that people could figure out what’s right by using reason, not just by following rules or traditions. His idea, called the “categorical imperative,” says we should only act in ways that we’d want everyone else to act too. Kant thought we all have a natural sense of duty and that true morality comes from thinking carefully and doing what’s right — not just following feelings or chasing rewards.
Moral values are the underpin of our society, regardless of their origin. Shared morals allow us to create laws and justice systems that protect people and punish wrongdoing. As societies grow and change, their values and laws change too. This can bring people together — or push them apart.
That’s why respectful conversation and debate are so important. History shows that when people stop talking and listening to each other, societies often fall apart. Actions that cause division usually go against moral values.
Today, the United States is facing serious challenges. People disagree more than ever about the country’s core values. Some say our justice system is being used for political purposes. Cooperation between political parties has dropped, and meaningful conversations between leaders are rare.
We don’t need complex reasoning to see what’s wrong — just looking at recent events shows us that many choices haven’t been the right ones. If we want to move forward as a country, we need to bring back honest discussions and take a hard look at our guiding principles. Only then can we restore trust in the shared values that help us all “do the right thing.”
Mark A. Schmidtke is a retired dentist and considers his retirement a journey of discovery and creative self-expression.
