23 November 2024 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) Moral behaviour is not only good for the community in which one is a part but also for the individuals who profess it. Comment.

(150 Words/10 Marks)

ANS

Morality is an individual’s sense of right and wrong. Moral behaviour means conducting oneself after evaluating the moral consequences of an action. Moral behaviour is good for the community in the following ways:

1. Morality makes people less self-centric. The locus of focus shifts from oneself to others. This ensures that the individual makes decisions keeping in mind the interests of others. E.g., during the COVID-19 lockdown, some landlords waived their tenants’ rent payments.
2. Philanthropy and charity can arise from moral behaviour. Consequently, society will experience less suffering. E.g., Azim Premji Foundation; Jaipur foot (Prosthetics) distribution to the needy by NGOs.
3. Moral behaviour exhibits universal values like equality, fraternity, justice, fairness, etc. E.g., enabling access to the village well despite caste differences.
4. It reduces the crime rate and increases harmony in society. E.g., lesser theft, lesser gender and caste-related violence, etc.
5. It evolves a person from an individual to a social being. The principle of “might is right” gives way to justice and peace in society.
6. Moral behaviour has a positive feedback effect, where the ethical behaviour of one is reciprocated by the ethical conduct of others, leading to strong community bonding. E.g., displaying kindness and showing courtesies.

Moral behaviour is good for an individual in the following ways:

1. Ethical behaviour brings satisfaction and happiness to the life of an individual. Rather than a life of insatiable thirst for wealth, pleasure, fame, etc., an ethical life is said to be the source of ultimate happiness and satisfaction. E.g., donating blood makes one feel good.
2. A righteous person has a positive outlook toward life. This helps in overcoming negative thoughts such as anger, suspicions, doubts, etc., It can have negative implications for one’s emotional well-being.
3. The moral behaviour of an individual as a parent may ensure the ethical behaviour of their children. A good child is considered as the biggest source of happiness.
4. Immoral behaviour leads to societal sanctions in the form of social boycotts, ostracization, etc, while moral behaviour promotes socialisation and social integration of an individual in the community.
5. Moral behaviour may limit self-harming behaviour, thus benefiting the individual. E.g., smoking and liquor intake are considered unethical in our society.
6. People with moral behaviour are likely to achieve long-term success. For instance, honest individuals like Kiran Bedi and TN Seshan have held high positions in government. A sense of accomplishment in professional life has positive consequences on one’s happiness.

Thus, moral behaviour aligns self-interest with the collective well-being of society. Moral behaviour can be seen as an invisible thread that holds individuals together to form a society.