Traditional Morality Cannot Guide Modern Life
Introduction
Tradition can make people compromise with any oppression, and fashion can drive them to embrace any foolishness.
These words of George Byron perfectly align with the given topic. Indian society has been soaring toward progress, where some individuals quickly adopt modern values, while others cling to traditional morals. This creates a contradiction in social dynamics—those who embrace modernity are seen as corrupt by traditionalists, while those who uphold ancient values are considered backward by modernists. We must now analyze which values are appropriate for contemporary life and which are not.
These words of George Byron perfectly align with the given topic. Indian society has been soaring toward progress, where some individuals quickly adopt modern values, while others cling to traditional morals. This creates a contradiction in social dynamics—those who embrace modernity are seen as corrupt by traditionalists, while those who uphold ancient values are considered backward by modernists. We must now analyze which values are appropriate for contemporary life and which are not.
Every society, institution, or nation operates through a set of rules that align with its objectives. If our behavior aligns with these rules and contributes to achieving organizational goals, it is considered ethical. Conversely, if our behavior contradicts these rules or hinders those objectives, it is deemed unethical. As time changes, morality evolves accordingly, and it also varies with place and context.
We often hear moral guiding principles around us. To analyze this subject, we must first understand what morality is. Morality refers to how a person interacts with and responds to those around them. In a country like India, customs, ethics, and religion are deeply interwoven. Everyone in society faces scrutiny regarding these aspects. The 21st century presents numerous dimensions to this debate. Previous generations followed various customs, distinguishing between right and wrong based on lessons taught by parents and teachers. These life lessons were passed down over the years.
We must remember the words of Rabindranath Tagore: "When we start worshiping our traditions, they become a burden to our progress." This statement must be seriously considered.
During school and later in college, theoretical knowledge of ethics was imparted through various curricula. However, it was disappointing that ethics merely became a high-scoring subject to boost overall grades. I was never fully aware of the significance of these subjects. My deeper understanding of ethics developed through personal experiences.
A paradox arises when we see how religious and scientific perspectives clash yet coexist. For example, in the grand Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, IIT Baba Abhay Singh gained immense popularity. If you have listened to his discourses, you may have noticed that he explores modernity through the lens of ancient traditions. While modern science attributes the creation of the universe to a particle (as per the Big Bang Theory), traditional beliefs associate it with divine creators like Lord Shiva or other religious deities. Simply put, "Where science explains the origin of the universe through the Big Bang Theory, traditional beliefs attribute it to divine creation."
In this cutthroat world, we see businesses, governments, and individuals struggling for dominance. The one with power is often considered the most cunning. Multinational corporations engage in fierce competition for profit margins, crafting deceptive strategies that impact countless unknown lives. Decisions made in corporate boardrooms can influence thousands of jobs, sometimes driving affected individuals to despair and even suicide.
Since childhood, we are taught to respect others and treat them with kindness, regardless of caste, color, or gender. However, these lessons often weaken over time, remaining merely as written words. Personal biases and opinions gained from our surroundings take precedence. Every success boosts our confidence. The monthly salary deposited into our bank accounts satisfies our inner self, helping us pay our bills. We overlook the ripple effects of our actions because we see the immediate happiness of our loved ones—smiles bought with hard-earned money.
Consider these ethical dilemmas: A prostitute sells her body to earn a living, a lawyer lies to save a client who has committed rape, a dissatisfied wife deceives her husband, a fraudster swindles millions from hard-working people, and a vegetable seller sprays harmful chemicals to keep produce fresh. Each of these actions may seem unethical at first glance, but when viewed from different perspectives, they reveal the complex nature of morality. The prostitute may have dependents who rely on her income for survival, the lawyer is bound by professional duty regardless of the crime, the wife might be seeking emotional fulfillment missing in her marriage, the fraudster may have lost opportunities that pushed him toward crime, and the vegetable seller might be struggling with debt, unable to afford losses. These scenarios illustrate that morality is not always black and white; it is deeply influenced by circumstances and perspectives.
As a child, I would have strongly condemned each of these acts. But who am I to judge? What if the prostitute has dependents who would starve without her earnings?
A lawyer is bound by professional duty to defend his client, regardless of the crime. Should he worry about his 9-year-old daughter, who might face such injustice in the future?
A fraudster may have been an underachiever in school, losing many opportunities. The vegetable vendor may be drowning in debt and cannot afford to let his produce spoil.
A lawyer is bound by professional duty to defend his client, regardless of the crime. Should he worry about his 9-year-old daughter, who might face such injustice in the future?
A fraudster may have been an underachiever in school, losing many opportunities. The vegetable vendor may be drowning in debt and cannot afford to let his produce spoil.
When we read the news, we see events from a particular perspective. However, behind closed doors, every story has multiple versions. We must develop an open-minded approach. Today's generation does not feel the need to justify their actions. Time moves swiftly, and we often fail to analyze situations wisely. With age and experience, wisdom grows. However, we cannot justify our actions solely based on what others do around us.
Conclusion
I conclude this essay with the thought that "Moral progress occurs when we challenge the boundaries we have created for ourselves." Making decisions that deviate from established norms can be difficult and requires courage. However, it is essential to recognize that if we do not challenge outdated traditions, both we and others will suffer in the long run.
Introspection and moral courage are essential for bringing change to society. The right path is often difficult, but true progress comes from embracing challenges. Remember, significant change begins with small steps.