Ethics 101 (With a Scottish Accent)

One of my favorite teachers in high school was a wiry Scotsman named Mr. Ballantyne. He wasn’t a Jesuit, but he might as well have been. His demeanor was no-nonsense, his standards were high, and his wit as sharp as the thorns on a sprig of thistle. He taught Ethics—a required course at my Catholic high school.

Mr. Ballantyne didn’t just teach Ethics as a subject; he lived it like a calling. His classroom was where we learned to think about what was right and wrong in a deeper way—not just in terms of rules or punishments, but in terms of what kind of people we were becoming. He taught us that ethics isn’t about having the right answers, it’s about asking better questions. That’s a very Jesuit idea, even if he never said cura personalis out loud.

So what is ethics, really?

At its core, ethics is a framework of moral principles that guide our actions and decisions. It’s how we navigate the question: What kind of life should I live, and how should I treat others along the way? It’s a discipline that tries to make sense of how we ought to act in a world that is often ambiguous, complicated, and unfair.

The Basics of Ethics

Moral Philosophy
Ethics is often called moral philosophy. It deals with the big questions: What is a good life? What do we owe each other? Are there moral absolutes, or is everything relative?

Principles and Values
These are the compass points we use to orient our behavior—ideas like honesty, compassion, fairness, and respect. Ethics involves not just knowing these values but figuring out how to apply them when they conflict.

Decision-Making
Ethics is practical. It's not just theory; it shows up when you decide whether to speak up, when to say no, or how to balance competing obligations. It gives us tools to weigh the consequences, consider the people involved, and make a choice we can live with.

Right and Wrong
Ultimately, ethics is about distinguishing right from wrong, not in a rigid or judgmental way, but in a reflective, principled way. It’s about being accountable to something higher than impulse or convenience.

Key Ethical Principles (According to Mr. Ballantyne and about 2,500 years of moral thought):

• Beneficence – Do good. Promote the well-being of others. Be a force for healing and help.
• Non-maleficence – Do no harm. Avoid causing pain or injustice. Sometimes ethics is about restraint.
• Autonomy – Respect people’s right to make their own decisions. This includes listening, even when you disagree.
• Justice – Be fair. Share burdens and benefits equitably. Don’t cut corners or play favorites.
• Fidelity – Keep your promises. Be reliable, trustworthy, and loyal.
• Respect – Treat everyone with dignity. Not just the people you like, but the ones who challenge you too.

Why It Still Matters

In an age of hot takes, polarized politics, and instant gratification, the quiet discipline of ethics is more necessary than ever. Ethics asks us to slow down, to consider others, to seek wisdom instead of quick wins. It reminds us that how we live is as important as what we believe.

And sometimes, it comes wrapped in a Scottish brogue, with a hard stare that says, “You’re better than that. Try again.”

Thanks, Mr. Ballantyne.