How Ethically Aware Are You?

Understanding Ethical IQ: A Guide to Testing Your Ethical Awareness

January 2025

The concept of Ethical IQ (eIQ) serves as a litmus test for gauging an individual’s awareness and understanding of power dynamics, media narratives, and the state of the modern world. The following guide outlines key beliefs that might indicate whether one aligns with a critical view of contemporary political and social structures.

Scoring 0/10 on Ethical IQ

You might score 0 eIQ points if you subscribe to the following beliefs, which are argued to reflect a lack of critical awareness:

1. Israel’s actions against Gaza are simply ‘self-defence’.
   This viewpoint ignores the complexities of power imbalances and long-standing regional conflicts.
2. The US or UK are functional democracies.
   Critics argue these nations are oligarchies in practice, heavily influenced by wealthy elites.
3. The Guardian and BBC are ‘left-wing’.
   While often viewed as liberal, they are perceived by some as aligned with establishment interests.
4. We have a free market economy.
   Many believe true free markets are undermined by monopolistic practices and state intervention benefiting elites.
5. NATO is a defensive organisation.
   This perspective overlooks criticisms of NATO’s actions as being provocatively interventionist.
6. ISIS governing Syria is preferable to the Taliban governing Afghanistan.
   A contentious claim that reduces complex geopolitical struggles to false equivalencies.
7. Biden/Trump are morally superior to Putin or Xi Jinping.
   Critics suggest such comparisons ignore the inherent corruption and self-interest prevalent in global leadership.
8. The US/NATO bears no responsibility for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
   This view dismisses historical context, including NATO’s expansion and Western geopolitical strategies.
9. Wealthy elites and oligarchs are acting in your best interests.
   The belief is often challenged by evidence of self-serving policies and economic disparities.
10. Climate change poses no existential threat.
    Denying the severity of climate change ignores overwhelming scientific consensus about its risks to civilisation.

Scoring 10/10 on Ethical IQ

A high Ethical IQ, according to this framework, involves recognising fundamental truths about power, wealth, and media. Here’s what that might look like:

1. Power corrupts.
   The corrupting influence of unchecked authority is a recurring theme in history.
2. The powerful lie.
   Deception is often a tool to maintain control and serve elite agendas.
3. Wealth corrupts.
   Concentrated wealth frequently leads to exploitation and inequality.
4. The wealthy prioritise their own interests.
   Rarely do those with significant resources advocate policies that diminish their influence.
5. The powerful prioritise their own interests.
   Self-preservation and power consolidation are viewed as primary motivators.
6. Mainstream media is co-opted.
   Critics argue media serves the interests of those funding or owning it rather than the public.
7. Information from the powerful or wealthy is unreliable.
   Scepticism of institutional narratives is encouraged.
8. Current systems fail to ensure safety.
   Many feel that current political and economic structures fail to secure a stable future.
9. Radical transformation of politics and media is necessary.
   Incremental reforms are deemed insufficient to address systemic failures.
10. Without change, the future is dire.
    Urgent action is believed to be required to avert widespread societal and ecological collapse.

Final Thoughts

This Ethical IQ framework invites readers to critically evaluate their beliefs against the backdrop of power, media, and systemic challenges. Whether one agrees or disagrees, the questions posed encourage reflection on the state of our world and the narratives shaping it.

By engaging with these ideas, one can foster a deeper understanding of ethical complexities in modern society.

Thanks to https://x.com/EthicalRenewal