What's your philosophy of shoulds?

Question

How do you determine what you should do?

Answer 1

If not doing it would land me in deep trouble, I determine it is to be done by default.

Answer 2

Do what you love and love what you do.

That is my philosophy.

Answer 3

poor use of the word philosophy.

I apply Kant's ethical theory.  So do most other non-manipulative and non-sociopathic people, whether or not they realize it.

Answer 4

I really would like to see that word, in fact the whole concept just erased from our collective consciousness. I have come to understand there are no shoulds in this world. There was a time I was very concerned with doing the "right" thing, possibly my replacement for "should". I fretted so much, & over analyzed everything to death. It became terrible work just to make a decision. Wow, glad to not live there anymore!

I now make a decision, each situation is unto itself, not based on any "shoulds".  I use my heart & my head, & too many variables to really explain well.

Thanks for the Q. You ask unique question!

Blessings!

Answer 5

My relationship with God largely determines what I think I should do. Moreover, I seek to act in such a way that my actions have positive and lasting effects on my neighbor. I am not just repeating Jesus' discussion of what constitutes the two greatest divine commands. The principle of acting in a way that benefits one's neighbor or fellow human being can be derived from philosophical principles formulated in Kant's deontological system of ethics. The second formulation of his categorical imperative says that we should treat humanity as an end in itself rather than as a means to an end only. The implication is that we respect human worth or dignity: we treat others as we like to be treated. In order to treat others as ends, we need to act in a way that promotes their welfare and ours, even though we act strictly for the sake of duty in terms of agentive intentions.

Answer 6

I try to imagine: if I don't do it, will I be sorry that I did not do it, or not at all? If yes, then I should do it.

Answer 7

I determine it also according to my conscience of what I should or should not do.

The given rules that should be implemented for the goodness in life.

To proper conducting of principles.

For fairness to all.

That should was always used for.

Answer 8

I weigh it by the outcome of the choice I made- Then I also weigh it by whether it was for good or evil purposes- The charge into it full load

Answer 9

There are four kinds of shoulds:

Scientific shoulds

That which happens because of nature. If x then y should happen. (usually does)

Legal shoulds

That which is considered to be impotent by society enough to put it into law. You should drive withing the speed limit. (usually does not 80% don't)

Social shoulds

That which we consider wrong but do not make law. peeing on your naughbours door step

Tyrannical shoulds

This are the shoulds which we put on ourselves. They lock us down and enslave us. These are things like:

I must be sucessful

I must be good

etc.

I speand hours helping people become free.

Answer 10

By doing exactly the opposite of what I should do. :p

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 11

When analyzing a group of choices, I first run them through my system of morals. The remaining, morally correct choices are then compared to precedents of my actions in similar situations, assuming the previous action was successful. If multiple choices remain, I leave it to some higher being and flip a coin or roll a die. This process can be time-consuming at first, but over time it becomes second-nature.

Answer 12

Guru-Ji, an excellent question.

Speaking on my own behalf, I must follow my conscience.

I follow my conscience as I must live within my self.

The human conscience is a quality given to man that allows man to partake in self correction.

Man is the only being on planet earth with this quality.

Man is most fortunate to have this gift.

~~~~~

This is the fourth level of consciousness within man.

It is called judgment. It allows man to analyze self and pass judgment on his or her own actions, and make the appropriate corrections.

~~~~~

May we all live within our higher level of consciousness.

This is my 'philosophy of shoulds'.