Morality - What is it?

Yesterday's post suggested that the event which started the journey to Strasbourg, "Spoke volumes about the man and his morality." This brought about the question, "Did it? Only if you believe that there is a definitive statement as to what morality actually is. The word carries with it a multitude of meanings and interpretations, even for Christians." Indeed there are 'a multitude of meanings and interpretations, even for Christians', some Christians more than others!

The reality is that the acts which set the ball rolling in March 2008 did indeed 'speak volumes' about the man just as do our comments, acts or attitudes speak volumes about our beliefs, values and standards. But putting the obvious aside, let's look at the deeper issue, that of morality.

What is Morality?
As I understand, and teach it, morality is the means whereby our actions are assessed as either right or wrong. This is not a simple thing though, for 'morality' is influenced, shaped and managed by a number of things religious and philosophical. It is shaped by, and shapes the, societal values and often becomes codified and regulates society, seeking to maintains good and positive traits within that society.

That we conform to these rules and act within their parameters is considered to be essential for the well-being of the culture in which we live (because we speak of acting 'ethically' there is a need to also determine what 'ethics' is, for they are not interchangeable, but not today).

I get the feeling this might become a bit of a thread, so let's deal with the immediate and leave that before us exactly there.

Are there definitive statements to what morality is? Is morality merely something imposed as a normative enforcement or is it more in that there is perhaps an ambiguous morality too? Can there be universal moralities? Loads of lovely questions . . now what about some answers!

I see morality as being the principles of right behaviour as defined by societal, cultural, religious, familial and other considerations (education perhaps?). Morality does appear to have some universal tenets in that it seems most societies abhor some common acts and attitudes, for instance:

Murder - Stealing - Lying - Adultery - Inflicting pain - Acts of aggression - Genocide - Slavery and more besides (I have left for others to fill in the blanks and bring their own viewpoints to the party).

But, for the first stage of this, hopefully, developing discussion I think it is obvious that the acts which started this process obviously spoke volumes for it revealed what had been hidden in a forty-odd year marriage, bringing to light payment for sexual gratification and favours, adultery and other aspects which have been considered wrong by those who call themselves Christian and those who do not.

A quick for instance, I asked fifty soldier about the man's actions and not one voice endorsed them as moral, right or acceptable - obviously a consistent moral view! I found the same when I asked Christians so I guess this leaves any others living in a place where neither Christian or secular group condones the acts and actions!

Hope this helps.

Pax