Defining the Meaning of Morality

Morality is literally identifying the right from wrong. Many individuals view this concept as a bleak representation of human righteous conduct, because there might be some things you find morally righteous while another individual or group would label it as a disdainful act. It begs the question that whether morality even exists, or rather, what exactly is the term ‘morality’ that people keep speaking of. In fact, it might not be such an easy concept as it becomes a whole domain to explore and argue by countless philosophers, or, at the same time, it can become the simplest topic to speak about.

In essence, you can be morally righteous if you stop caring about your short-term goals, and start caring for the people around you, those people who are easily vulnerable to the impacts of war, environmental hazards, societal bullying, emotional trauma, and natural flaws. If you consider that objective in mind, morality is but an easy term to digest. For instance, if to save an innocent person, one has to tell a lie, your heart and mind would urge you to accept it as a morally righteous act. At the same time, if you try defending a murderer with a lie, there is always a pang of guilt within you, rotting away your conscience.

Is Morality Subjective or Objective?

Social Scientist, Sam Harris once argued that morality is objective in nature. Unlike him, other scientists viewed this concept as more of a subjective type. It is true that on an individual level, you might manifest morality subjectively, but on a societal level, it often exhibits an objective look. Previously, some studies on various cultures has concluded that there are, in fact, certain aspects of morality found in every society, known as the Universal aspects of morality. These include, respect and care to your family, helping your team or group, returning the favor and being fair to others, and respecting others’ boundaries etc.

Morality as a Philosophy

Talking about a more scientific aspect of morality, the concept was first coined by Socrates, the Father of Ethics and Inquiry, although many scientists have been skeptical of this piece of information. Nevertheless, it was originally introduced in ancient Greece, their advancements in science, arts, and culture leading them to interrogate human conduct in profound details.

Social Scientist, Nietzsche, developed two significant terms of morality i.e., ‘Master’ and ‘Slave’ morality. Fundamentally, they differ in the perception of practicing vice and virtue. Master morality values pride, wealth, fame and power, while the Slave morality upholds kindness, empathy, and sympathy. Inevitably, the purpose of both these types is to make the world a better place to live in.

Is Social Morality more Significant than Individual Morality?

In order to answer this question, it is crucial to limelight the primary objective of the term. In other words, it is not adequate to argue about morality being a personal matter, rather whether this practice on a global scale can change the world and our future generations for the better. If you look it from that angle, social morality may appear to be the winner. Still, what is social morality when you lack the base layer of morality within you? In that sense, individual morality becomes significantly important. In spite of all that, it will still not be enough to bring harmony around you. Consequently, a more plausible way to understand their values is that, individual morality is you stepping onto the right path, while societal morality is the path that will lead you to your true goal.

Logic and Emotions in Moral Practices

Another interesting debate is that, in practicing moral behavior, do you have to use your logic to pursue right, or your feelings, which often times help you separate right from wrong? A philosopher named David Hume, claimed that morality is all about perception rather than logical reasoning, while according to the Social Philosopher Darwin, it rely more on your innate feelings and emotions which helps you, from the moment you are born, to distinguish between vice and virtue.

Take Sweden for example, an act typically referred to as a blasphemy in other countries is considered a freedom of expression in Sweden. Surprisingly, it does fulfill the claims of David and Darwin but it undermines and utterly disregards the original objective of morality; world peace. If a moral act does something akin to disregarding security of underprivileged minority, would it still be considered a moral act?

Modern studies have claimed that morality and emotions are two separate motives, hence, even though emotions can often times help us to identify moral conduct, it is not adequate to associate this motive entirely to moral values. Just like logic, emotions only provide a vague idea of appropriate human conduct.

World Peace Revival Project: What can you do to Help Us?

We are an up and coming team of writers who are ardently thriving to reach out our hands to those who need healing. In times past, we have learnt that people connect better with each other by listening to another’s life stories and experiences, and hence, we have developed a platform to facilitate our readers. It is only possible if we all work together to make this world a better place for the abandoned, brutally injured and underprivileged class of society. You might be the helper or the one being helped. In either case, we only want you to support us by following our page and sharing your moral views as concisely as you can via our email to let everyone learn something from you.

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About The Author:

Fiza Shahid

Online Writer

Email: fiza.shahid.farooq@gmail.com