In modern society, talking seriously about morality is, to put it mildly, bad manners. Modern culture and the media in various ways try to create an ironic and disdainful attitude towards moral disciplines - they say that this is a rudiment of the past, unmodern and, in general, the lot of religious fanatics. When someone starts a conversation about morality, people most often react as they have been taught: either they perceive it with caustic irony, or they persistently try to find out which “sect” the one who raises the topic of morality has fallen into. However, even those who consider themselves moral people and adhere to some rules can exhibit very peculiar forms of supposedly moral behavior.
The thing is that morality is a very, very flexible concept. Take, for example, various religious movements, in which today they talk a lot about issues of morality. For example, in some religions, only causing harm to people is considered immoral, and, say, eating animals and cruelly treating them in a number of religions is not only not condemned, but is even sometimes cultivated and extolled as behavior worthy and pleasing to God. Generally accepted religious rituals are sometimes even associated with cruelty to animals. At the same time, adherents of such religions are in the complete illusion that they are highly moral people. And if we go even further, let us remember the times of the “Holy” Inquisition and the Crusades, when a very, to put it mildly, specific moral paradigm was imposed on people and not only the killing of animals, but even the killing of people was not considered immoral. Moreover, it was considered a “godly” deed. Therefore, a particular group of people may have their own concept of morality and vary depending on religion, country, culture, traditions, and so on.
History of the problem
The first source of morality for humanity was the Divine Commandments, which called people to purity of actions and thoughts.
In different eras there were different spiritual guidelines. If we turn to history and consider some of the moral guidelines of ancient times, they may shock a modern person. For example, fearing the loss of his kingdom, the Egyptian pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn boys.
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Over time, the Divine Laws were supplanted by such moral standards as honor, dignity, loyalty, duty, love for the Motherland, etc. The religious norms that have reached us have been somewhat transformed. This is due to the modern view of religion and attitude towards it.
Some moral norms have reached our time, having changed somewhat, but at the same time maintaining their relevance. For example, in Ancient Rus', an honest word given by a merchant symbolized directness and sincerity; it was inviolable. In the modern world, the attitude towards the “word of honor” is somewhat different, but respected people strive to keep it.
Some moral norms have not reached our days and have lost their meaning. For example, until recently, all women were required to cover their heads. Harlots and commoners threw off their scarves and veils. Modern women do not comply with this norm, as it has lost its significance. However, the norm of walking with your head covered remains in a number of countries. This is primarily due to religion. In many Muslim countries, women still wear the hijab.
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If we turn to historical works of art, one of the most popular paintings is the Mona Lisa, which symbolizes modesty and humility. However, by the standards of the time when the picture was painted, the woman who posed for Leonardo da Vinci is a girl of easy virtue. This is evidenced by her appearance - open shoulders and head.
There are moral standards that have reached our time practically unchanged. For example, a negative attitude towards alcoholism. Back in the time of Plutarch, a law was passed banning drinking alcohol, as it had a negative effect on the human body and its behavior. The same negative attitude towards alcoholism and alcohol has survived to this day.
Note 1
Thus, moral norms and rules are subject to change and transformation over time. This is due to changes in people’s thinking, in their attitude towards phenomena and situations.
How did we get here
When any political system collapses, ideals, goals, and social guidelines fall down the chain behind it. This has already happened in our country. Suffice it to remember the first time after the 1917 revolution. Everything they believed in collapsed overnight. The country did not need spirituality - it needed workers, strength, teamwork. The country experienced a severe spiritual crisis until it became stronger, old guidelines were replaced by new ones. Society began to see a new person - as an honest, hard-working, kind, selfless - patriot of his Motherland.
The fall of the USSR and the events of the 90s led the people along a similar scenario. But unlike the post-revolutionary times, people were not given anything to replace the fallen ideology. Nothing but rivers of information garbage pouring towards us from under the raised “Iron Curtain”. Our country has never experienced anything like this before - young people were ashamed of their roots, their folk culture. Children's folklore groups were empty. Propaganda of American culture and the Western way of life rained down from televisions. “American fight, I’ll go with you,” the then popular group “Combination” sang, they also sang “Once, I went for a walk with a foreigner.” They sang and we sang along. “Mom, don’t cry, I love a Russian,” is the text of the singer Carolina. This is only a small fraction of the enormous misfortune that befell our society. Survival, race for profit, mafia clashes. Gang leaders instead of Robin Hood, jeans instead of a dress, pumped up breasts instead of a modest blush. Children grew up with this. It’s not their fault, but the imprint of the era in the soul is like a brand. Today these children are the parents of those whom we see in kindergartens and schools . Are you still asking where is morality?
Current state of the problem
The current state of moral problems is caused by anxiety about the weakening of the leading functions of the family - the birth and socialization of children. This problem negatively affects the demographic situation in the country. From a moral point of view, the situation is aggravated by the fact that moral norms that were previously strictly observed are now being violated.
What was previously simply unacceptable in society, what was condemned, in the modern world no longer seems so monstrous and condemned. For example, divorce and the birth of children out of wedlock were previously condemned. In modern society, views on these situations have changed dramatically. Accordingly, views on the family and its role in society have changed.
In addition to moral problems associated with the decline in the importance of the family function, problems associated with corruption, which has penetrated almost all spheres of life, are becoming increasingly important.
Corruption negatively affects the quality of products and services produced. Counterfeit products and medicines have practically flooded the entire domestic market. The development of corruption has led to the fact that in the modern world everything is bought and sold, for example, for money you can buy a diploma without even studying, or buy victory in competitions or Olympiads.
Corruption is a rather complex phenomenon that negatively affects ethical standards, causing a moral crisis in modern society.
Note 2
Thus, given the current state of affairs in the field of morality, humanity must think about what consequences it faces for humanity and what needs to be done to improve the situation.
Morality is what distinguishes us from animals
How do animals live? Their behavior is completely dictated by instincts. Therefore, the concept of morality is simply irrelevant for them. It is stupid to say that a wolf eating a lamb is immoral. The wolf must eat sheep. This is his Dharma. This is its purpose. And he must, for reasons of reason, fulfill it. Another question is why did he incarnate as a wolf? But this, as they say, is a completely different story. So, animals basically have no choice. They are forced to follow their nature - their instincts. Another thing is the person. A person has a choice: to follow the demonic path of development or the divine. Thus, every day we make a choice in which direction we are moving. Animals do not have this choice. And it is for this reason that it is said that it is very difficult for the soul to escape from the animal world into higher worlds: an animal cannot make a choice in favor of any morality, because this very morality simply does not exist for it.
There are, of course, periodic examples where animals sometimes act even better than people. When, for example, a dog saves a person’s life. But this is, rather, an exception, which tells us that this soul most likely has a rich experience of incarnations, and perhaps even is a bodhisattva who consciously incarnated in the animal world in order to help other living beings. The fact is that sometimes beings such as bodhisattvas deliberately choose to incarnate in the animal world, most often as predators, and, by eating living beings, establish a karmic connection with them in order to then “pull” them into a higher world. But this is a special case. For most animals, everything is predetermined by their instincts.
So, the possibility of moral choice is what distinguishes us from animals. But, unfortunately, not everyone enjoys this advantage. It is said that it is incredibly difficult to achieve this precious human rebirth, and therefore, having incarnated in the world of people, to behave in obedience to one's instincts and not to the call of the heart is extreme ignorance. Unfortunately, modern culture contributes to this in every possible way. Why? There can be many reasons. The main one is that immoral and spiritually weak people are easier to govern. It is easier to focus on consumption and can, in principle, be forced to commit any meanness. This is why immoral behavior is often shown in films today, and people subconsciously simply adopt such thinking patterns and patterns of immoral behavior.
Golden Rule of Morality
How can one find the truth among the many different concepts and concepts about morality and not fall into the bait of various philosophical and religious teachings that offer us, to put it mildly, strange ideas? There is a simple principle that was formed by ancient philosophers, and this principle is one way or another reflected in many world religions. The principle goes something like this: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Such a concept, perhaps, can be some kind of guide, a guiding star in the endless ocean of life, full of tricks and dangers. This principle is reflected in a number of world religions, which to some extent indicates its objectivity and truth:
- In Judaism the principle is: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A slightly abstract interpretation of the golden rule of morality, but the message is approximately the same.
- In Christianity: “So in everything that you want people to do to you, do so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” This principle is set out in the Gospel of Matthew. The same thing is said in the Gospel of Luke: “And whatever you want people to do to you, do so to them.” Jesus taught this principle many times, and his apostles also often repeated this principle in their sermons.
- In Islam: The Prophet Muhammad also taught his disciples: “Do to all people what you would like people to do to you, and do not do to others what you would not want for yourself.”
- In Hinduism: in the ancient scripture “Mahabharata” there is also a mention of the golden rule of morality: “Let a person not cause to another what is unpleasant to himself.”
- In Confucianism: The Chinese philosopher Confucius taught his disciples: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to another.”
It is noteworthy that the golden rule of morality
is present in all world religions, as well as many philosophical teachings, which indicates that many Teachers of mankind and philosophers in their reflections and spiritual searches came to the same conclusion: you need to broadcast into the world only what you yourself would like to receive. This understanding comes from understanding and accepting the law of cause and effect - “As you sow, so shall you reap.” When a person comes to the realization that every action has a reason and will have consequences, then the understanding comes that when you harm another, you harm yourself. However, despite the fact that most religions and philosophies agree that you should not do to others what you do not want to receive yourself, nevertheless, adherents of these religions continue to commit inappropriate actions, and some religions themselves sometimes offer very strange concepts, which clearly do not comply with this rule. Take meat-eating, which is not considered an immoral act by some religions.
What's the problem? Realizing that a person receives everything that he shows to others, nevertheless, there are religions and teachings that have a very strange moral basis. The problem is that in modern society the concept of good is distorted beyond recognition. Whether this happens by itself or due to someone’s malicious intent is difficult to say, but the fact remains a fact. It is a very common belief in our society that everything that brings pleasure is good. Thus, bringing pleasure to people means doing good. But, unfortunately, receiving pleasure and entertainment has not yet led anyone to development. There are simply no examples.
All development and all evolution occurs only when a living being is forced to leave its comfort zone. A comfortable environment is not conducive to development. When parents try to please their child, entertain him, shower him with gifts and goodies, they simply “remove” good karma from him, wasting his potential, which he could use more wisely in the future. But in society, such behavior is considered almost the fulfillment of parental duty. But the most interesting thing is that such parents, most likely, are themselves addicted to pleasure and entertainment, and it turns out that the golden rule of morality is not violated here: by giving their child pleasure and entertaining him, they are ready and want to get the same for themselves. This is the dangerous background of the golden rule of morality. Most people today, in fact, are not striving for what a moral person should strive for, and that is why they “do good” to others, based on the values that were instilled in them by the consumption system that exists in our world today.
Synonyms of morality
It is worth paying attention to the synonyms of the word “morality”, which make us understand how important this is in our lives. For example: morality, honesty, nobility. Chastity is also synonymous with the word morality. Whole-wisdom - that is, the integrity of wisdom, its harmony. Indeed, morality stems from wisdom. Although there are cases where some religions simply use intimidation to force their adherents to live morally. But such morality out of fear, as historical experience shows, leads nowhere. As soon as the desire to commit an immoral act becomes stronger than fear, this act will be committed. Less common synonyms include justice, selflessness, purity, and virtue. Virtue - that is, “doing good.” This is the essence of morality. It is only important to understand what good is and when and how it needs to be done.
What does the concept of “morality” mean?
Very often morality is identified with morality and ethics. However, these concepts are not entirely similar. Morality is a set of norms and values of a particular person. It includes an individual’s ideas about good and evil, about how one should and should not behave in various situations.
Each person has his own criteria of morality. What seems completely normal to one is completely unacceptable to another. So, for example, some people have a positive attitude towards civil marriage and do not see anything bad in it. Others consider such cohabitation immoral and sharply condemn premarital relationships.
Morals and ethics
Traditionally, the concept of “morality” is identified with morality. In many cases, these words are used interchangeably, and most people do not see a fundamental difference between them.
Morality represents certain principles and standards of behavior of people in various situations, developed by society. In other words, it is a public point of view. If a person follows established rules, he can be called moral, but if he ignores them, his behavior is immoral.
What is morality? The definition of this word differs from morality in that it does not apply to society as a whole, but to each individual person. Morality is a rather subjective concept. What is the norm for some is unacceptable for others. A person can be called moral or immoral based only on his personal opinion.
The meaning of morality
Some people believe that morality is only a necessary condition for going to heaven after death. During life, it has absolutely no effect on a person’s success and does not bring any benefit. Thus, the meaning of morality lies in cleansing our soul from sin.
In fact, such an opinion is erroneous. Morality is necessary in our lives not only for a specific person, but also for society as a whole. Without it, there will be arbitrariness in the world, and people will destroy themselves. As soon as eternal values disappear in a society and habitual norms of behavior are forgotten, its gradual degradation begins. Theft, debauchery, and impunity flourish. And if immoral people come to power, the situation worsens even more.
Thus, the quality of life of humanity directly depends on how moral it is. Only in a society where basic moral principles are respected and observed can people feel secure and happy.
