There are moral imperatives at the foundation of critical thinking. More than engaging in philosophical concepts or questioning the societal standards around us, the moral imperative lies in the products of our thoughts. What impact will we have on ourselves and those around us as a result of our engagement in the world around us or, to the same degree, our isolation from the world around us. Continuously, and almost consistently, I have unwise inclinations which inevitably lead to mistakes and more disastrously dents in my relationships with others. These inclinations stem from the dark-to-light grey spectrum that we refer to as ethics and label black and white at random intervals. It may seem as though this claim contradicts my opening statement, however, just because our moral responsibilities are fuzzy or unclear does not mean they are non-existent.
My (the youth of today's) generation is said to be the ultimate consumers as we, in our privileged separate world of advancing technology and needs being met before they're felt, absorb our society for all it can give us. While I do not believe that we, as a rule, sacrifice individual personalities and priorities for this machine-like attitude - I believe that this attitude underlies many of our actions and pursuits in life as many Europeans and North Americans strive for self-satisfaction and personal success. I believe that this is what businesses want from us and have kindled inside our minds since children as we give up interaction with the natural world around us and obsess over the virtual world on the screens in front of us - not saying it's all a conspiracy as consumers' response has encouraged this stimulation. I'm not even referring to the natural world as sports or agriculture or the picturesque image of 'nature,' I am simply referring to online shopping, rather than entering the community and going to the grocery or clothing shop, or the early exposure to technology as toddlers scribble on a screen in the new Windows 10 advertisement rather than experiencing the new (to them) world.
Thinking critically about what we consume and how we give back to our community, society, and world is not morally right because we're obligated to be active citizens but rather by the influence our positive actions will have on our community. If you place importance on your family, and therefore put effort into your individual and collective relationships, your consideration will impact their lives in a GOOD way, as theirs will yours. However, if you put no effort into your relationships, rather than their condition staying stagnant, your relationships will deteriorate - impacting your life and theirs in a BAD way. While it may initially seem as though there is no responsibility to improve your behaviour and relationship with others, the outcome of engaging or avoiding the challenge creates a moral divide between good and bad. In my opinion, if there is an even somewhat-definitive 'good,' one has a moral obligation to pursue that outcome as they care about themselves and/or others. Through this attitude, there is a moral imperative to engage and think critically about the world around us as our thoughts (and inevitable actions or lack-of-actions) aid its betterment or deterioration.
