The Only Way Is Ethics

I was recently asked to partake in a film-exhibition taking place in October at the Mercury Theatre as part of The Only Way Is Ethics festival. The theme explores people's ethical views and questions what individuals would do in certain situations - particularly in times of desperation.

The theme is inspired by two plays that will be showing at the theatre during October - The Good Person of Sichuan and Man to Man. My partner and I are going to see The Good Person of Sichuan, and I'm hoping to book tickets for Man to Man soon - I'm really looking forward to it!

The exhibition will be in the theatre entrance and is composed of short interviews with local artists/councillors/teachers etc talking about their views and opinions on a number of topics including poverty, wealth and the corruption of ethics.

We only had up to 2 minutes film-time, which I found really tricky. How could I sum up the plethora of thoughts that fill my mind when I think of the words 'ethics'?! Of course it wasn't merely the one word we were asked to think about; here is the provocation we were given:

Where to start...! My contribution focussed on my upbringing as a Hindu and the moral and ethical guidance that my parents and my faith have given me. I do agree that a modicum of comfort is necessary for the practice of virtue; I think that a strong and stable background, with the ability to talk/question/debate about your actions and reasoning is the foundation for understanding. That 'comfort' provides the right environment to develop one's thinking. And in this western society, that 'comfort' requires a reasonable element of financial security...but I disagree that virtue and money should be 'inevitably' linked. I believe that an individual can be virtuous regardless of their financial status, religious views, cultural and social background. In today's world, where everything is money-oriented it is difficult to imagine a society that could be motivated without a financial reward - but I believe that you can achieve a balance; and that money does not always lead to corruption.

They are my thoughts in a nutshell - I spoke about my own actions in the interview, and had a lot more to say than I could fit in! Do try to see the exhibition and performances - I think it's refreshing to re-tune your moral compass every so often.

What do you think?