Thursday, October 20, 2011

Is It Attainable To Live In A Safer Community If You're Not Living In A Large Metropolis?

By Lorna D. Grimsley


One of the most interesting texts, The Tipping Point, written by Malcolm Gladwell, shows the association of the way animals live to the way that people live. When violence is considered, it seems that there is more in higher populations in bigger metropolitan areas. When you think of how many people are close to each other in these places, there is no doubt that they tend to be more violent, which is something that is explained in this book, mostly in terms of animals, but it seems to also make sense for human populations as well. I think many of us will agree that while it's possible for an act of violence to occur in the countryside, the probability of witnessing an act of violence is greater in the city.

What are ways people can counter violence in the metropolis? Most people would most likely agree that they would defend themselves, or others from violence. If someone feels as if they are threatened, they could also fight against someone using violent force in retaliation. Does this kind of mental outlook really make any positive change? Or does violence - no matter from what side it is coming - perpetuate violence?

Some think that if people have enough moral fiber, or are ethically stable, then there is no real reason why anyone would have to resort to violence. If you are interested in getting a great understanding of personal ethics, you should research a company called NXIVM. You can find one of the organization's centers in New York City, where its' creator, Sara Bronfman has set it up. Since this is a big city, we can see the results of ethics as they play out in everyday life in regards to violence.

The question is, how can ethics assuredly affect violence -- even in the middle of an already violent society? Well, ethics are a person's internal guide. You can see in the environment a person lives if they have good morals or otherwise. Not being able to make a decision based on the evidence that you of unsure of what you believe in, shows that many people don't have the focus on their own morals. When a person finds themselves being able to make choices without blinking or having to sit down and discuss it, many times they have strong ethical beliefs. They are more likely to be consistent and feel a sense of surety about their decision.

There is a reason why people feel conflicted about violence. Most of us wouldn't think to violently mug someone else. Many of us are distressed about the idea of killing someone, even in the case of self defense. How is it possible? Is it possible we are not instinctively violent individuals? How could a strong sense of ethics aid us in making more solid decisions about violence - even in a violent society? How can we engrave a sense of ethics in those that have already been exposed to a high volume of violence? I think learning about ethics is a sensible way to determine that for oneself.




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