To think morality only exists when people are being watched?

[ShadowMotiveJay]

When no one’s looking rules seem optional. AIBU to think decency is more about optics than conviction?

I might pick my nose or scratch my arse if I think no one's watching but I certainly still live by my general moral compass. I couldn't give a shit if someone is watching me, I will still pick up rubbish I see on the floor and pay for things and return lost property etc. Why wouldn't you? I'm a good person for myself not other people.

We're now onto the word soup section of the thread.

Predicting increasingly unintelligible word soup. Multiple rewording of the same theme with plenty of 'I'm not saying......' thrown in. Then more intangible, ethereal bilge. Then radio silence.

I’ve posted three comments on my own thread and clarified one point. If this topic irritates you that much, you’re free to mute the thread.

I do the decent thing when no one’s watching because I like to like myself

Yes!
I'm an audience to me, and I care what I think.

You are correct OP. You only need to walk down the street to see bags of dogshit:

Picked up under surveillance.

Dropped again in the shadows.

Character is what you do when no one's watching.

I'd suggest it is the opposite in most cases. A lot of people believe there is a deity too so do you not include them or does that include them being "watched"?

Maybe we're unusual in UK due to the Jeremy Beadle Cam that used to catch people out and have canned laughter over the top but I always imagine someone is watching even when there isn't and I am not religious.

Yes, of course there is some truth to this. But hopefully there are still plenty of good people out there.

The last time I bought a homeless person a hot drink for example, I was alone. Im more likely to alone because I wouldnt want anyone to think I was virtue signalling!

With things like handing in lost money, ive done this, then again if I was really hard up then perhaps I wouldn't. It depends on the time on situation in all honesty.

Generally im a good person and will help people if I can (although not to the detriment of myself) and that would include strangers.

Generally I would rather be truthful than lie, but I can't say I've never lied. And so on...

It's illuminating how few men try to help me out now im firmly in the middle aged category!

Well no because 90% of the time nobody is watching me. And my moral standards remain in tact. I know it's wrong to hurt other people, to steal, to manipulate others, to be aggressive and violent...

I don't agree and I think it is a question that will degrade society. It feels good to do good, plain and simple, and plenty of people get that and live by it.

That’s not really morality, it’s stupidity….

Why is it stupidity? Do you steal Flupiness?

My nan says shopping trolleys are the ultimate everyday moral test (the ones without coins in them!)

You get nothing for taking it back, no one is watching, no one will punish you for not taking it back. Choosing to take it back is purely because you don't want to dump it for someone else to deal with, it's essentially a completely selfless act.

The fact that so many trolleys now require a coin kind of lends weight to your theory sadly OP.

I thought integrity was doing the right thing when no one is watching.

Makes me think of the shopping trolley theory. You're supposed to put it back, rather than just leave it by your car. But no one is watching or monitoring (unless you have to put a pound in!) The majority of people still put their trolley back, but some people just don't bother and leave it for someone else to sort. True colours

Have you got any examples because I'm not understanding what you mean? I've cared for babies and vulnerable people alone, I treat them with respect and show them warmth, I wouldn't steal from them, I'd make sure their needs were met and I'd expect others to do the same. I can't think of any other situation where you could show a lack of morality when people aren't watching. It's only vulnerable people where you could have a chance of getting away with having a lack of morals without people finding out.

Probably apocryphal but:

Ancient Chinese proverb: "Never call a man honest who has not had a chance to steal."

Real Russian saying, "He lies like an eye witness."

It is precisely when you are not being watched that you will find out your own morality.

Works the same way for me. I care less about what others think than what I think about myself. I want to be a decent person because I would feel shit about myself if I wasn't.

Or an honest moral compass, either way I am happy with myself 😊

No, it doesn't irritate me. What irritates me is the repeated threads (all in the same style) trying to make out that people are unkind/immoral/only do good things to fuel their egos).

Anyway, you've disappeared like snow now so 😑

Ah no- that’s sad you think that op (tell me you’re not the poster that said people only are nice to get something!)