Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Pippa’s dilemma: the moral demands of affluence

By Scott MacInnes - posted Thursday, 25 October 2012


Ironically, she is reminded of this through her engagement with a great religious work of art. But it is important, I think, not to confuse conscience with its traditional religious connotations. Religions did not invent and do not own conscience, any more than they invented or own our basic moral values. Both are inherent in our common humanity.

Whether religious, agnostic or atheist, we all have a conscience – that inner voice which tells us what is the right thing to do, and which we ignore at our peril.

So Pippa’s advice to herself could also have meaning for us.

Advertisement

Follow your conscience… It has brought you to this dilemma. And it will lead you out of it.

…your conscience is the primary source and trajectory of any meaningful personal flourishing for you.

If your conscience is uneasy about a course of action, stop and listen to it. Wait rather than try to push through by some act of willpower.

Allow the mystery inherent in such a dilemma to deepen in you.

Be open to surprise. Something might come out of left field that resolves the immediate dilemma and leads you forward in unexpected ways.

This is in fact what happened to Pippa and led her to a surprising resolution of her dilemma that was less ‘saintly’ but nonetheless admirable.

Advertisement

However, if you want to know what she did you will need to go to the Life Matters website. It is a wonderful program to listen to – radio at its best. And the few comments deserve to be read in full.

This is the kind of sensitive, collaborative and serious engagement with fundamental issues that makes the ABC great. Life Matters…well done!

 

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. Page 4
  6. 5
  7. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Scott MacInnes has a background in teaching, law and conflict resolution. He is now retired and lives in Tasmania.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Scott MacInnes

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Scott MacInnes
Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy