What does it mean to be ethical,

Hi,

To be ethical means to do the right thing.  True, the right thing is up to one's interpretation often, but there are certain situations in which it's pretty common sense what the ethical choice would be.  Helping an old lady onto a bus instead of pushing her aside and getting on first, getting up when on public transportation for a handicapped or elderly person... etc.  These are all ethical choices.  Then of course, there are the debated issues of ethics, such as abortion, which is more important, the health of the mother or the child that hasn't been born yet... things like this.  There are many issues of ethics, but in short, it means to be a good person.

Ethical living should transcend the morals of society and put the needs of fellow man first. Many societies have elements that deny the rights and needs of man. We could describe ethical living simply as not doing to others what you would not want them to do to you. But that eliminates many of the things that ethical living should include so we have to put this in a positive way by saying that you love and respect your fellow man as yourself. That love and respect is in thought and in action; one without the other is worthless.