One Determine What One Ought To Do Analysis

Jacqueline Pavis
Professor Yeo
PHIL 1115EL02
31 October 2010
How Does One Determine What He “Ought To Do”? Throughout the course of one’s whole lifetime, the constant question of what to do with one’s own life is brought up numerous times. How does one configure what he or she ought to do with their own life? What should an individual take into consideration while deciding what to do and also what other outside influences are also evident in helping the individual reach their decisions? There are so many choices that an individual could make and those choices could either be negative or positive. An individual must take into consideration how the choices he or she decides to make are going to affect the people around them and also how
they will be able to contribute to their society. However, although choices may seem easy for some to make, for a lot more people, these decisions take a lot of insight and in depth thought before any final decisions can be made. The phrase “ought to” should be first explored. The phrase can convey different meanings when it is being used. For instance, if someone were to say “you “ought to” quit smoking”, it’s more of a recommendation whereas if someone else were to say that “Jane “ought to” get a good grade on her paper”, the phrase becomes used to convey that something is expected because the person deserved that recognition. In addition, the phrase “ought to” may also convey meaning relating to obligation where it becomes used in the same sense that the word “should” could be used. So with that said, is it possible that when an individual determines where they want to go, is it because that they “ought to”? Or is because that the individual “should” choose a certain path? As children, all are given the first opportunity to explore choices and are more curious about the world around them. This is the time where values, skills, and culture are becoming instilled into one’s mind, and where an individual begins to formulate their own way of thinking. In addition, as children, it becomes natural to ask more questions about how the world works and then begin making their own conclusions. Also, as children, dreaming about how things could be is also more freely allowed. Daydreaming allows for the individual to explore possibilities and options about where they can see themselves in the near future and also becomes the basis for goal setting. When an individual begins to set goals for themselves, it allows for personal growth and gives insight to how a person is able to implement their plans and reflect on how it was that they came to achieve their goals. An individual should take into consideration all the outside influences that may affect their decision making.
Outside influences could range from anything such as family, friends, events, culture and perhaps social institutions. Family is a major component in any individual’s life. Family is where an individual first learns how to socially interact and where values and traditions are mainly instilled. Family is where you are first taught how to think, feel, and act within society. Family and culture tie into an individual’s identity in such depth that no matter where the individual may end up later in life, that he or she is able to come back and relate to them no matter what has occurred. An individual’s parents are the most influential within the family. Because they are older and have experienced life and what goes on within it, the individual is in a sense obligated to listen to what they have to say. And because parents did most of the decision making for you as a child, the individual may rely more on their input and opinions about what it is that he or she ought to do. In addition, siblings also play an important role. The way siblings may have treated the individual whilst growing up may also have an effect on what decisions are made by providing the most social interaction within the household. Siblings may also be able to provide insight on what the individual is
contemplating. Friends are also a huge factor in decision making. Friends may come from different households, cultures, traditions, new places and they may present new ideas and insight to an individual that he or she may not have explored before. Friends may also add meaning to the individual’s life. Friends are also the people that an individual may relate to the most in concerns to what is currently occurring within his or her own life. Friends may also help the individual gain new perspectives on things and also the individual may adopt qualities that their friends possess. However, an individual should be advised to be careful about the type of people he or she surrounds themselves with. If a friend were to be more of an honest, well mannered, motivated, or does well with their own decision making, the individual may want to strive to become the same. Whereas, if a friend were to be lazy, untrustworthy and has no drive to do anything with his or her life, then in would not have a positive effect on the individual where he or she may start to adopt those same qualities and then not end up in a very “ideal” place. Friends may also influence an individual through where they are located, if an individual were given an opportunity to travel elsewhere where he or she may have a better chance at succeeding, the choice to actually go would be a difficult one to make. It would mean leaving the friends who you have become so close to and relate with the most to going somewhere where the individual may not know anyone at all. Though, a change of scene would be a great idea because the individual and their friends may have come to a point where they have become too comfortable with how their lives are situated. Friends may also limit growth in an individual where peer pressure is concerned. Jealousy is a commonly shared emotion between friends and cannot be helped. On the other hand, friends may also offer the most support out of everyone else because they have the most understanding of an individual is able to think. An event may also direct an individual’s decision.
An event such as a tragic death of a person close to the individual may alter their views on certain areas of their own lives. The individual may give more thought about what he or she ought to do with their life after realizing how life is something not to be taken for granted. Also, depending on how highly thought the individual thought the deceased person was, the individual may want to adopt their life causes as his or her own and continue. Also an event can just inspire the individual to try new things and experiment to find out what he or she prefers to subjected
to. Social institutions may also play a part in an individual’s decision making. Social institutions include education, family, media (broadcasting, electronic and print), phone, government/political, medical and also religion. Within the institution of education, the individual is exposed to formal education where he or she gains knowledge, skills and also learns more about different values. Furthermore, while in the institution of education, the individual is also exposed to peer group socialization. Family institution as already discussed is where the individual is presented with his or her initial social interactions and also where values are primarily instilled. Media is more complex as it is available everywhere and at all times. Information is always being presented and readily accessible whether or not the individual is currently aware of it or not. All other social institutions have a strong influence on the individual and how his or her identity is shaped. Lastly, what an individual should consider the most is his or her own intuition and insight. After all, the decision is ultimately the individual’s to make. This will require in depth reflection of what it is that individual would want to achieve within the course of his or her own lifetime. One should remember that all decisions do not solely affect them but also affect everyone else around them. As for the question of whether or not what is decided is considered the “right” thing to do is always going to be under speculation and questioned. However, if the individual finds happiness in whatever he or she chooses, does it really matter? There is no way definite way to be sure as the questions of what is truly right or wrong are always going to argued. So when an individual is faced with the question of what he or she “ought to do” there are many things to consider before making a final conclusion.