How To Prove Objective Meaning Through Ethics -- A Short Essay
- Mr. Tomasio Rubinshtein
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 30
Ethics is the study of what should be and what shouldn't be, of what is proper and what is improper.
Harm is, by definition, physical or mental damage.
If things and beings can be harmed regardless of what we think about them, then actions have objective meaning, or, objective impact, function/dysfunction on reality.
Harm in other words is when something is used not only in a way it shouldn't be used, but also in a way that does not deserve its own application.
While we may argue on certain things as abusive or otherwise, there are things that are expressions of harm which is independent of what we think about them:
Slavery.
Forced Marriage.
Misuse of power in higher position.
Etc.
Number 1 and 2 are objectively abusive because they exploit weakness. The slave is harmed for his lack of resistance. The forced participant is abused by his or her lack of influence to make others respect their consent. Number 3 is expressed when you are not using the power you were given per your agreement with those you have power on.
The slave does not deserve to be exploited for his weakness, because he has no power over his weakness over his captives.
The forced bride/groom does not deserve to be exploited because influence is an indirect power that depends on the cooperation and compliance of those they cannot directly control.
The power mis-user does not deserve to misuse his or her power because he had an agreement with those who gave them direct power in the first place. Even a dictator does not rule alone; they need enforcers.
When meaning does not depend on our subjective experiences, it is objective.
Our subjective experiences are irrelevant when it comes to many forms of abuse, when we can have objective knowledge of what abuse entails.
Morality is objective in part, therefore, objective meaning exists.
In practice, it means that slavery, forced marriage, and misuse of power are objectively immoral due to reasons that do not concern our subjective features (thoughts, feelings and so on). As in the case of number 3, if an agreement between you and someone you lend power to is breached, then no subjective quality can change the agreement that was already made between you and them.
Should we teach students how to be moral, we could reduce the potential harm that they could cause when they grow up to be adults.
And the reduction of harm is the moral thing to do.
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