The Ethics of "Goodness"

"Nicomachean Ethics" was difficult to digest. Although Aristotle makes several good points regarding morality, happiness, virtue, gentility and the positive philosophical aspects of life, the fact remains, I believe, that what is considered good for A could have a negligible effect on B or be bad for C. For example, if a group of people suffers from a shortage of food, the logical thing to do would be to increase the output of food. This involves obtaining more resources, either in manpower, land and crops, or both. There are two potential problems with this solution, depending upon the particulars of the circumstances: one, that increased manpower lowers working conditions, making the individual worker subservient to the greater population; and two, that obtaining more resources could deprive another group of people of their own resources, which could lead to dispute, discord and even war. This is a rather broad, simplistic example, but there are other, more concentrated and specific ones to be had. The point is, no matter how "good" one tries to be or act, there is a good chance that others will suffer accordingly, regardless of one's original intent. It is a double-edged sword.

Goodness is also a very vague and elusive concept to pursue. I don't mean to sound like a pessimist or a sadist who derives pleasure from negative causes and effects, but doing the "right" thing has always been difficult. Just look at our American republic. We have a system of checks and balances, a Consitution which guarantees us many personal and political freedoms, and a representative system of government. In theory it is a sound idea and a bold stride by the Founders and Framers to do good by their fellow citizens, and yet our system is rife with inherent flaws. For example, there is not educational requirement to run for public office, so technically anybody could become a politician and blunder through a term of office. Also, many times politicians care more about their own personal agendas while in office and forget the citizens they represent in the pursuit of power, money and fame. There have always been abuses of power by all three branches of government: the Watergate scandal, the McCarthy era, the 2000 presidential election and the intangibility of a one-sided judicial system...the list goes on. Despite the foresight and best abilities of people like John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and others, those with less-than-noble intentions have and will use a good democratic system to their advantage, leaving the people to suffer.