Being a part of a society every human is trying to follow some moral principles that define what is good and what is bad, what is right and what is wrong. All of these determine our actions made in various life circumstances and shows our moral values as well. This essay will aim to discuss the concept of morality and describe the main issues related to this philosophical question that may be never answered.
What is morality?
Lots of definitions can be applied to the concept of morality. In short, morality is regarded as an attempt to define who we are from the position of some right and wrong actions we do and thoughts that we think. Throughout thousands of years philosophers have been trying to solve the issue about defining the concept of morality. “Many man – many mind” approach is what can be applied to the problem. Nevertheless, it is possible to try to think over the question and reveal the common sings of morality that can be meaningful for us in a modern society.
What is meant by a moral person? Can it be properly interpreted?
The concepts with multiform meanings such as morality can be illustrated in the real world on practice and thus possibly defined in some way. Let’s assume, you are going back home at midnight and find a purse on the sidewalk with lots of money and some bank cards with a name on it. You can find the person and return the stuff, will you do it? Or will you choose to keep it for yourself and use somebody else’s money for your own purposes? Your action in this specific situation defines your morality. Your decision can show whether you act right or wrong. Still, another question arise – is it right to give the purse back to its owner if you are in need yourself? Maybe this is a sign and life supports you when you need it? No one knows the right answer, because it does not actually exist. Each of us defines from our own point of view what is right and what is wrong, and it may has nothing to do with the concept of morality as it is defined by a modern world and other individuals.
Are people in a modern society loosing their moral values?
Modern society is more likely to lose moral values with the time flow. It happens because of materialism that affects people’s mind and prevails moral values. Technical progress contributes to this as well. People keep on earning money and buying products they need, so they tend to try to buy everything they want. This fact devalues moral characteristics in some way and make people do morally wrong things even subconsciously just because of the materialistic way of thinking.
Additionally, public manners influence others’ actions. Looking at someone doing something in a public place may affect others. Let’s take an example with a public smoking. First of all, it is actually forbidden and should be so. Secondly, it has nothing to do with a moral manner when a man is walking with a cigarette in his hands while there are many people around, including children.
The bad influence of the Internet on moral values of people is not the exception too. Today it is available all over the world, people have an access to the Internet and spend a lot of time there reading social media, comments to the blogs, political reports, etc. One can easily find a lot of bad things posted there, which harms and abuses other people. Adults may not take care of it, but children should be protected from this in the first place as they see bad words, consider them to be normal and copy the manner of communication.
In conclusion
People in a modern society tend to loose their moral values, which is influenced by materialism, public thinking and manners, and the Internet as well.