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| Questionable Ethics. | Started by: Brutus on Dec 05, '07 12:46 |
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Questionable ethics are a part of almost every walk of life, La Cosa Nostra is no exception. Yet are we at a crossroads? A juncture in our journey at which we should no longer question ethics, but merely be grateful that ethics still exist, however doubtful they may be. Perhaps, perhaps not. Everything, as always, is subjective, is it not? It is not. I am not talking about subjectivity today, nor am I talking about perception. I am, for once, asking a straight question. Have the old ways died out? have we stopped holding ethics and honour high up on a list of priorities? I'd like to say no, I'd like to say that the amount of bitter sons and daughters coming to the streets to denounce Mob Boss McTavish as a tyrannical fiend, and that their rantings of aforementioned's honour and ethics are somewhat lacking completely dispel the argument that our moral code is mortally wounded. I'd like to say that, but I can't. I fear that for the most part, this is all they are. Bitter rantings that show little coherence and cohesion. Bitter rantings that we would never have heard if it not been for their forefathers' deaths. Bitter rantings that sadly, show no indication of whether or not ethics are at the forefront. Perhaps, even, I'm being altogether false. Perhaps there were never any good days. Perhaps we never had a moral code, that it was just a twisted invention, a glamourisation, a false propagation. Perhaps we've always had questionable ethics, it was just done with a shade more secrecy in the "ol' days". Perhaps perhaps perhaps. |
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It's a very interesting question, Brutus. It might help to hear your definition of questionable ethics so that we're all on the same page: one person's idea of good ethics could be different from another's. I think that there is, at least partly, a nostalgia effect at play. People tend to remember previous times as being better than the present, in society as well as la cosa nostra, yet people are always striving to make the world a better place, so is it that these people always fail and that the world is constantly getting worse and worse, or is it that people view the past with rose-tinted glasses? |
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| Reply by: Olivero at Dec 05, '07 12:56 | |
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Though I hate to answer a question with a question...I believe the problem lies just here? Is it questionable ethics? Or is it using anything at your disposable to get the upper hand, such is our way of life? Despite my assurances for non subjectivity, I can clearly see we are heading down that avenue. You are indeed right when you say that one person could perceive shrewd business as severe lack of principles. |
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| Reply by: Brutus at Dec 05, '07 13:24 | |
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Gabe, who had been listening from a comfortable, unassuming corner in the back of the crowd, takes a few steps forward. Buttoning his suit and clearing his throat, he situates himself in front of those listening. Both gentlemen bring up excellent points that I'd like to address. It has been quite some time since my family name has roamed these streets, and things have changed greatly since that time; in some ways for the better, in some ways for the worse. However, the one thing that has not changed; the one thing that has remained the same in this thing of ours is the fact that a man has to make his own success- by whatever means necessary. None of you can honestly say that this life is simple- that everything is handed to us as demanded all the time. No, we have to "make our bones," and show our grit to make the world work the way we require. Sometimes, in doing so, we have to step on other peoples toes...or families. I got here at the end of this last skirmish, so I do not know all the details- but I have seen countless people coming to these streets and whining about injustice and what wasn't fair. Face it, kids, "justice" and "fairness" ain't in the Cosa Nostra dictionary- deal with it. Oliver had the means and the strength to do what he deemed necessary. Those that fell, well, they didn't. Tough break. As for dealing with the past versus the present, I will be the first to admit that I speak romantically of the years ago that my family had some power and influence- when men knew how to be men, and business was more than just making money. However, those days are past, and they have to remain there. Gentlemen, ladies, times are changing- the world is moving forward and we have to move with it. How can we make strides toward the future when we're stuck wishing for the days that will never come back, no matter how glorious they might have been. Times change, and therefore strategies must change- we must adapt and change... ...and be men about it. With that, Gabe shrugs nonchalontley and steps back into the crowd. |
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| Reply by: Gabriello_Viacelli at Dec 05, '07 13:54 | |
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I believe we are all guilty of looking at the past through rose tinted glasses. My forefathers diaries tell of many a young civvie killed for spouting off about the death of his father/crew leader/wife/pet gerbil. Perhaps they were more eloquent back then than they were today? I think it's unlikely. Our world attracts (for the most part) those who enjoy the written word. The vast majority of people will make an effot. I belive, from perusing the conversations out here in the street, there may have been a slight shift in overall approach to running a family, but little else of substance seems different to life as a mafioso all those years ago. The difference I see is that these days it seems to be ALL about the power. Don't get me wrong, the strength of a family's hit squad has always been a major factor, but I do seem to remember there being other approaches, CL's whose aims were solely about their family, others whose goals were the admiration of the masses, still others whose goal was world domination. Perhaps this is as much as change in my perspective as the approach of mafioso to our way of life, I genuinely couldn't tell you to what degree each factor plays a part in my world view. As for our core ethics, they don't seem to have changed all that much. If anything I would say there's more leniency about expression out here in public. In general, though, I would say that the laws of Omerta seem to have been upheld in general. And what is more important to us than that? |
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| Reply by: GentlemanJim at Dec 05, '07 14:53 | |
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"Have ethics ever really existed? Or have people just grown wiser to spotting the plethora of hidden agendas that people harbour? I've always found the question of ethics in our life an ironic argument. Honour amongst theives, I guess it equates to. If you ask a bunch of guys to rob, assault, vandalise and kill their way to the top, then tell them there's rules and codes of honour they have to follow, there's always going to be the odd one or two that just don't 'get it'. I understand fully what this life expects of me, and I am a person that holds honour above all else, but I can also see how people get confused, misguided even. This is a violent and unethical life we lead, to hold your own morals and ethics throughout your criminal career, well, it's a tough job." |
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| Reply by: Slevin_Kelevra at Dec 05, '07 15:08 | |
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Our world attracts (for the most part) those who enjoy the written word. The vast majority of people will make an effot. Only that clearly doesn't include me making an "effot" to proof read. In general, though, I would say that the laws of Omerta seem to have been upheld in general.... generally Ugh. Apologies. |
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| Reply by: GentlemanJim at Dec 05, '07 15:11 | |
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| "I like effot. I think we should make it a new word. I shall petition Oxford forthwith." | |
| Reply by: Slevin_Kelevra at Dec 05, '07 15:13 | |
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