What does it mean to be a moral person in terms of different cultures

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

What does it mean to be a moral person? At first glance, the question seems to be very simple. Moral people are those who strictly adhere to the ethics accepted in society, are guided by specific moral principles. But ethical norms depend on society, they are different for all peoples. It turns out that there can be different answers to the question of what it means to be a moral person? Let's try to figure it out.

Ideas of morality in different countries

Morality is an unspoken code that guides the life of society. Different countries interpret the concepts of “good”, “evil”, “bad”, “shameful”, “good”, “right”, etc. in different ways.

What does it mean to be a moral person, for example, in Thailand? It is enough not to discuss aloud the life of the royal family, especially the actions of the king. In Russia, anyone can express their opinion about the personality and life of the president. Moral from the point of view of Islam is considered a person who clearly fulfills the requirements of Sharia. The measure of morality is the motivation of his actions: sincere, selfish or hypocritical. Jews and Christianssince ancient times, it was believed that morality was sent by God and is a set of rules (10 commandments). It is quite natural that the representatives of these societies will give different answers to the question of what it means to be moral, corresponding to a particular culture and morality. But they will also have something in common: all cultures recognize that a moral person follows the laws and guidelines of the ethics that are accepted in a certain society, never violates the laws (legal and moral) adopted in his environment. This is a correct but narrow understanding of morality. But after all, there are universal values in the world that do not depend on the characteristics of a particular culture. And from this point of view, the answer to the question of what it means to be a moral person will sound quite different.

Universal morality and morality

Moral and moral values are inherent not only in a particular society, but also in a particular person. They can change over time: a person and society develop, traditions and foundations change, new relationships arise. However, all peoples, regardless of the time they lived on Earth, culture, religion and government, there are absolute moral truths. Prohibitions against killing and stealing are just two examples of human values.

They are necessary for the prosperity of every society and for the peaceful coexistence of peoples with different religions and cultures. From this point of view, the answer to the question of what it means to be a moral person will sound somewhat different. Suppose someonefollows the laws (written and unwritten), does not swear in the streets, does not kill animals and people, does not violate public order because it is forbidden or not accepted. Naturally, this person can be called moral. But if someone does the same for his own convictions, then he is considered deeply moral. What does it mean to be a moral person? Follow the prescribed customs and rules to avoid condemnation or punishment. What does it mean to be a moral person? Understand the meaning of values that are close to all people, follow morality not out of fear, but out of conviction.

Education of morals

A person is born in society, so from childhood he absorbs its morality. Unfortunately, it often happens that small-town ethics begin to prevail over universal human values.

And then Muslims oppose Christians, crusaders try to plant their beliefs with the sword, some countries carry their own "democracy" to their neighbors, not being interested in their beliefs. In today's turbulent world, it is especially important to educate a child in moral and moral foundations from childhood.

Special item

To do this, in 19 regions of the Russian Federation, a new subject "Fundamentals of Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics" (ORKSE) has been introduced into the school curriculum. What does it mean to be moral? What values are close to people all over the world? What moral values underlie different religions? Why should people adhere to universal human values? These and other questions are trying to be answered by teachers leading a newsubject. It is designed to develop motivation for conscious moral behavior, which is based on the ability to make the right and free moral choice.

Summarize

So what does it mean to be a moral person? This means:

• Adhere to the morality of a particular society.
• Be willing to make the right and informed moral choice.
• Consciously uphold human values.
• Be guided by these values in your behavior.
• Be able to answer for immoral or immoral acts.
• Understand that only observance of moral principles helps to live spiritually in society, avoid wars, develop.

Tyrants, dictators, despots, some modern politicians seek domination and achieve their own goals, ignoring the moral principles and moral laws. Societies led by such rulers are degrading. Tyrants, having reached the top, remain there alone.