We have all at one time or another heard the term "morals" thrown out there for one reason or another. It is largely agreed upon that it is preferable to have good ones instead of bad, but what in the world are they really and what significance do they play in society? Ernest Hemingway said once that "what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after". This is obviously more than a little bit oversimplified but it's a start!
Morality is basically a concern over what is right and wrong. The day and age in which we now find ourselves has been influenced largely by the idea that "right" and "wrong" are highly debatable titles and should be left to the discernment of the individual. Whether that is so, or if there is in fact a set of standards that transcend the rest, can be debated another day. For now, we can restrain ourselves to focus on what, if any, effect morals have on culture.
Rather than bring up case studies today, I think I will just invite you to imagine with me what an average day might look like where lying, cheating on your spouse, abusing and stealing from others, taking bribes, and distorting justice are commonplace. It doesn't take much to see the ripple effect and disruption this would cause in every corner of society. If, for someone, any mixture of that series of behavior seemed right and good then by all means they can continue. I would only be intrigued to see how that is working out for them!
Theoretically, good morals find their goodness not only in and of themselves but also in the ensuing benefit they bring about for society. Who can hold a measure to the blessing a nation receives from an honest, trustworthy, faithful, truthful, hardworking, and generous people? Alexis de Tocqueville, a french political thinker from the 19th century, once concluded after an extended stay in America that "America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."
I think it's time for a moral revolution in America!
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Thank you, Pingry6 days ago
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Is there an actual Real "GOD?"4 years ago
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I like how your post doesn't directly tie morals to religion. While religion certainly influences some people's morals, your interpretation that "good morals" are based upon how such morals might benefit society allows for a broader interpretation. I think some people's interpretations of morality must come from elsewhere since not everyone shares the same faith. Furthermore, making a rhetorical appeal to a broad, diverse audience requires a different type of argument than making an appeal to a small group who share the same faith. This post does a good job of appealing to a broader group of readers.
ReplyDeleteI remember in a Western Civs class the teacher brought up the origins of morality. She said that morality grew from the practical needs of society. Take for example monogamy. Having multiple partners lead to the spread disease through a society. So emphasizing a value like monogamy possibly grew from the need to keep a society healthy.
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