By Olujobi Opeyemi
Being right or wrong is subject to two perspectives: yours and others.
Oxford Advanced Learner’s defines Perspective as one’s attitude towards something or the ability to think about problems and decisions in a reasonable way without exaggerating their importance. In simple language, it is our point of view about things around us. Perspective (“the ability to think about problems and decisions in a reasonable way…”) is dependent on beliefs, principles, and ways of life, people’s or our reaction (or conscience) to one’s actions [the ones that have been done or being thought of], to judge them either right or wrong. Newton’s third law of motion, “to every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” agrees with this discourse.
The judgment of a deed is a function of people’s view of it, which boils down to personal perspectives, which also varies from one individual to the other. We see that there might be two or more views to an action hence leading to arguments as each party feels their opinion or view is superior. It is usually rare for people to have only one view on an issue, as our beliefs, principles, etc. are a function of our cultures, backgrounds, upbringings, environment, parental and peer influence, emotions and religion that affect our actions and reactions to issues. Since all these will continually vary from person to person, it is hardly possible for our views to be the same on what is right or wrong.
How then do we judge right or wrong?
Some might insist that the law, wisdom of the elders, morals, and religious views or as some generally term it, “the majority carries the vote,” should be the view that holds sway. However, all these still boil down to the individual… No?
Wait a minute! Is the law not a function of the lawmakers? Or wisdom of the elders a function of the “elders?” Or morals a function of a culture’s view of right or wrong? Or religious views a function of religious leaders… all these are subject to the individuals: lawmakers, elders, religious leaders, policemen, judges but to mention a few, present in every location or place. Some so called right actions/decisions might end up being wrong, while the so-called wrong actions/decisions might also end up being right.
From the writer’s point of view, judging right or wrong should not be a rash or hasty action. Individuals should weigh their decisions carefully, putting at the back of one’s mind that a word or sentence might destroy that which has been standing in just seconds. Thus, one should be as plain as a mirror, able to view the action in question from different perspectives, so that in the end, one’s decision is not also judged as “wrong.” A person might do things thinking he is on the right track but might end up just falling down the bottomless pit. Instead of castigating out-rightly, judge with the understanding that no man is perfect and every one can fall victim of the right or wrong situation at the least expected time.
Ralph Waldo rightly said, “The key to every man is his thought. Sturdy and defying though he looks, he has a helm which he obeys, which is the idea after which all his facts are classified. He can only be reformed by showing him a new idea which commands his own.”
My goal is not to force this outlook on the reader. I also neither deem it right nor wrong. I think we should strive and pray for the true knowledge of right and wrong, so we can exhibit wisdom in judging right or wrong.
Good luck in our quest for that true knowledge. God be with us all.
Opeyemi Olujobi (c) 2013