MORALITY?

Dr Khurshid Alam 25/3/12 London.

Certain words are repeatedly used but extremely difficult to give them a universally accepted definition. Morality is one of them. It is derived from a Latin word moralitas. It combines certain characters like manners,character and proper behaviour.

Some have described it as the differentiation of intentions,decision and action to differentiate between the good or bad. The other say it is the most important code of conductus forward by a society. Some gives it the name of principles concerning to differentiate between right and wrong. The principles and intentions are two different concepts. It sounds more like inter play with words.

If it is so important to the society then it should have universality. It should not change its form from race to race, colour to colour, country to country and religion to religion. The factors that constitute it should have universality. Those are also not universally determined. Civility is another commonly used and universally abused word. It should have been derived from knowledge not dictated by the society.

The west commonly considers civility as their property while east is showing pride in it's moral values. Who is the sole proprietor of these values cannot be ascertained? Both abuse the same values when it comes to their vested interests.

Human beings have certain extinct like hunger, sex and greed. In hunger no body cares for any conditionality but to get some thing to eat. In a poor society if you flung out a a dry piece of bread with fungus there will be many to run for it. But the dog of an affluent person will just smell and go away. Should we call those human beings immoral and non civil compared to that dog.

Sex is a human extinct when the stomach is full. As for as their mutual agreement it is not considered bad in the west. The only precondition is age. Minor for minor, major of major. Compare to sex, unpunctuality,irresponsible attitude and misuse of authority or public funds are considered bigger crimes.

In the east the sexuality or exhibitionism are considered the most heinous crime with mutual agreement. This again not applied to the far east. Education in sex is unthinkable. Homosexuality is unimaginable. But on the other hand non punctuality, abuse of power and bribery is a norm. Honesty and responsibility to the society is an exception not the rule.

What is good or bad is perception not a rule in my humble opinion. I think that any thing that does not hurt a person or damage the society is relatively good. I feel one has got the right to do good or bad limited to himself as for as it is it is not harmful to others and should be considered relatively benign.

Civility is politeness and social manners to avoid hurting or humiliation of someone else. It does not come with education. Education refines it but literally it is the brought up that is more significant.