What are the most important moral values everyone should learn. How can these values improve our lives and society. Why is developing strong moral character crucial in today’s world.

Understanding Moral Values: The Foundation of Character

Moral values serve as the bedrock of human character, guiding our decisions and shaping our interactions with others. These principles help us navigate the complex landscape of right and wrong, providing a framework for ethical behavior in various aspects of life.

What exactly are moral values? They are the standards of good and evil that govern an individual’s behavior and choices. These values motivate us to do what is right, even when it may be challenging or inconvenient.

The Significance of Moral Values in Society

Why are moral values so crucial in today’s world? They play a vital role in:

• Fostering harmonious relationships
• Promoting social cohesion
• Enhancing personal growth and development
• Creating a more just and equitable society

Can moral values be learned, or are they innate? While there is ongoing debate on this topic, most experts believe that moral values are primarily learned through experiences, interactions, and societal influences. This underscores the importance of intentional character education and positive role models in shaping ethical behavior.

Honesty: The Cornerstone of Trust and Integrity

Honesty stands as one of the most fundamental moral values. It encompasses truthfulness, fairness, and transparency in all our dealings. Why is honesty so critical in personal and professional relationships?

Honesty builds trust, fosters open communication, and creates a foundation for genuine connections. It also involves taking responsibility for our actions and admitting to our mistakes, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Real-World Applications of Honesty

How can we practice honesty in our daily lives? Consider these scenarios:

1. Admitting to errors at work, even if it might reflect poorly on you
2. Returning excess change given by a cashier
3. Providing truthful feedback to friends or colleagues
4. Accurately reporting income on tax returns

By consistently choosing honesty, we not only improve our own character but also contribute to a more trustworthy and transparent society.

Respect: Cultivating Dignity and Understanding

Respect is a multifaceted moral value that encompasses courtesy, consideration, and recognition of others’ inherent worth. How does practicing respect enhance our interactions and relationships?

When we show respect, we acknowledge the dignity of others, regardless of differences in background, beliefs, or status. This fosters an environment of mutual understanding and cooperation.

Demonstrating Respect in Various Contexts

What are some practical ways to show respect in different situations?

• Active listening without interrupting
• Using appropriate titles and forms of address
• Respecting cultural norms and traditions
• Valuing others’ time and commitments
• Showing consideration for shared spaces and resources

By consistently practicing respect, we contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive society where diverse perspectives are valued and appreciated.

Responsibility: Embracing Accountability and Reliability

Responsibility is a moral value that encompasses reliability, dependability, and accountability. Why is cultivating a sense of responsibility crucial for personal growth and societal progress?

When individuals embrace responsibility, they become more trustworthy and dependable. This not only enhances their personal relationships but also contributes to a more stable and productive society.

Key Aspects of Responsibility

What are the essential components of responsibility?

1. Fulfilling commitments and obligations
2. Taking ownership of one’s actions and their consequences
3. Being proactive in addressing issues or challenges
4. Managing time and resources effectively
5. Contributing positively to one’s community or workplace

How can we develop a stronger sense of responsibility? It often begins with small, consistent actions, such as meeting deadlines, following through on promises, and taking initiative in various aspects of life.

Compassion: Nurturing Empathy and Kindness

Compassion is a moral value that involves empathy, kindness, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Why is compassion essential in building a more humane and supportive society?

By cultivating compassion, we create stronger connections with others, foster a sense of community, and contribute to a more caring world. Compassion allows us to understand and respond to the needs and suffering of those around us.

Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life

How can we incorporate compassion into our daily interactions? Consider these approaches:

• Offering support to someone going through a difficult time
• Volunteering for charitable causes
• Showing patience and understanding in challenging situations
• Practicing active listening and empathy in conversations
• Performing random acts of kindness

By consistently choosing compassion, we not only improve the lives of others but also experience greater fulfillment and connection in our own lives.

Forgiveness: The Path to Healing and Growth

Forgiveness is a powerful moral value that involves letting go of resentment and choosing to move forward. Why is forgiveness crucial for personal well-being and healthy relationships?

Practicing forgiveness allows us to release negative emotions, heal from past hurts, and create space for personal growth. It also promotes reconciliation and strengthens social bonds.

The Process of Forgiveness

What are the key steps in the forgiveness process?

1. Acknowledging the hurt or wrongdoing
2. Choosing to let go of anger and resentment
3. Developing empathy for the other person’s perspective
4. Releasing the desire for revenge or punishment
5. Moving forward with a renewed perspective

How can we cultivate a forgiving attitude? It often requires practice, patience, and a willingness to see beyond our own pain. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting or excusing harmful behavior, but rather choosing to release its hold on our emotions and actions.

Integrity: Aligning Actions with Values

Integrity is a moral value that involves consistently adhering to ethical principles and values, even when no one is watching. Why is integrity fundamental to building trust and credibility?

When we act with integrity, we demonstrate reliability and authenticity. This builds a strong foundation for personal and professional relationships, fostering respect and admiration from others.

Demonstrating Integrity in Various Contexts

How can we practice integrity in different areas of life?

• Honoring commitments, even when inconvenient
• Maintaining confidentiality when entrusted with sensitive information
• Refusing to engage in unethical practices, even if they offer personal gain
• Admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for their consequences
• Consistently aligning actions with stated values and beliefs

By prioritizing integrity in our daily choices, we not only enhance our own character but also contribute to a more ethical and trustworthy society.

Gratitude: Cultivating Appreciation and Contentment

Gratitude is a moral value that involves recognizing and appreciating the good in our lives and the contributions of others. Why is gratitude essential for personal well-being and positive relationships?

Practicing gratitude helps shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering contentment and joy. It also strengthens social bonds by acknowledging the kindness and efforts of others.

Incorporating Gratitude into Daily Life

How can we develop a more grateful mindset? Consider these practices:

1. Keeping a gratitude journal
2. Expressing thanks to others regularly
3. Reflecting on positive experiences at the end of each day
4. Practicing mindfulness to appreciate present moments
5. Volunteering to gain perspective on one’s blessings

By cultivating gratitude, we not only enhance our own happiness but also create a more positive and appreciative atmosphere in our interactions with others.

As we continue to explore and practice these essential moral values, we lay the foundation for a more ethical, compassionate, and harmonious society. Each individual’s commitment to these principles contributes to the collective well-being and progress of our communities and the world at large.

21 Moral Values All People Should Learn (with Examples)

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

We live in a world where people are expected to know right from wrong. While different cultures have various standards of what is acceptable behavior, some ideals cross borders.

The importance of family is one common thing that most cultures around the world hold dear. However, there are many moral values that all people should learn to create a more harmonious society.

Throughout my life and world travels, I’ve come to believe that there are certain moral values that all people should learn, regardless of where they live. No matter how important individualism may be, morals help us interact properly and can keep our families and societies together.

Table of Contents

Toggle

What are Moral Values?

Moral values are the standards of good and evil, which govern an individual’s behavior and choices. They help us decide what is right and wrong, and they motivate us to do the right thing.

There are many different types of moral values, but some of the most important ones include honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, and forgiveness.

Why are Moral Values Important?

Moral values are important because they help us to make the right choices in life. They also teach us how to treat other people with respect and how to behave in a way that is acceptable in society.

Moral values are also important because they help us to develop a strong sense of right and wrong. They can also help us to develop empathy for others and to understand the consequences of our actions.

Are Moral Values Learned or Innate?

Most people believe that moral values are learned. This means that they are not something that we are born with, but something that we acquire through our experiences and interactions with others. From childhood, we learn how to share, how to be truthful, and how to care for others.

As we grow older, we continue to learn new moral values from our families, our friends, and our wider community. We also learn about moral values through the media, such as television, books, and films.

A strong work ethic is the willingness to work hard and do your best.

Some people, however, believe that moral values are innate. This means that they are something that we are born with and that we do not need to learn them. Instead, our moral values are determined by our genes or our biology.

While there is no definitive answer to the question of whether moral values are learned or innate, most experts believe that they are primarily learned. This means that our experiences and interactions with others play a significant role in shaping our moral values.

Regardless as to where you stand on this issue, there are at least 21 moral values we believe that everyone should learn in order to be their best self and contribute to society in a productive way.

21 Moral Values All People Should Learn

1. Honesty

Honesty is one of the most important moral values. It means being truthful and fair in all your dealings with other people. Honesty also includes being willing to admit when you have made a mistake. Failure to own up to a mistake may end up costing someone else big time – especially if they are a subordinate at work.

I remember an incident in one of my post-college jobs in which an Assistant Manager did not admit she forgot to note when an employee asked for a day off. The Head Manager fired the same employee the following day because he assumed he failed to show up for work. The Assistant Manager’s honesty would have saved this person their job.

If a cashier or waiter gives you too much money back or forgets to charge you for something you bought, it is always best to let them know about the mistake. Taking advantage of someone else’s mistake is dishonest and creates bad karma. Plus, they may have to pay for it at the end of their shift.

2. Respect

Respect means treating other people with courtesy and consideration. It also includes respecting their property, their privacy, and their views and beliefs. When you respect someone, you treat them with dignity and consideration. You also avoid doing anything that might hurt or offend them.

One of the best ways to show respect for someone is to listen to them carefully. This means giving them your full attention and not interrupting them when they are

It may also involve showing reverence to some segments of society like our elders. For instance, in many cultures, it is considered disrespectful to call someone by their first name unless you have been permitted to do so.

3. Responsibility

Being responsible means being reliable and dependable. It also includes being accountable for your actions and taking responsibility for your mistakes.

When you are responsible, you can be counted on to do what you say you will do. You are also careful in your dealings with other people and take care to not cause them any harm.

A responsible person will follow rules such as driving within the speed limit and not littering. They will also take care of their belongings and not borrow things without permission.

4. Caring

Caring means showing kindness and concern for others. It also includes being helpful and considerate. When you care about someone, you want what is best for them.

You may show your care for others by doing things like cooking for them, helping them with their homework, or just spending time with them.

Caring also involves being empathetic, which means being able to understand and share the feelings of another person. This can be a valuable skill when consoling someone who is going through a tough time.

5. Cooperation

Cooperation means working together to achieve a common goal. It includes being willing to compromise and putting aside your own needs to help others.

When you cooperate with someone, you are willing to work with them instead of against them. You are also willing to make sacrifices for the greater good.

For instance, you may decide to work on a project with a colleague instead of going out for drinks with your friends. A cooperative society can solve problems without resorting to violence.

6. Fairness

Fairness means treating people equally and justly. It includes being impartial and not showing favoritism. When you are fair, you give everyone a chance to succeed.

You may be called upon to be fair in your dealings with other people, such as when you are mediating a dispute. It is important to be impartial and not take sides. Such moral values are important in certain professions such as judges, lawyers, and police officers.

7. Courage

Courage is the ability to do something even though you are afraid. It includes standing up for what you believe in and not backing down even when the odds are against you.

Being brave does not mean that you are fearless. It means that you can face your fears and do what is right, even when you are afraid.

An example of courage or bravery would be if you saw someone being bullied and you stepped in to stop it, even though you were afraid of the bully. It would also include being the first person to stand up and speak out against injustice, even when everyone else is afraid to do so.

Courage set off world-changing movements such as Civil Rights Era in the U.S.A, protests in Tiananmen Square, and the Arab Spring.

8. Loyalty

Loyalty involves showing constant and unwavering support for someone or something. When you are loyal to someone, you stick by them even when times are tough. When you take marriage vows, a pledge of loyalty is made to your spouse to stand by them in sickness and in health.

You may be loyal to your family, friends, or country. Someone loyal to their country would never spy for another country, even if they were offered a large sum of money.

Loyalty to an organization is often shown by sports fans who never stop cheering for their team whether they win or lose.

9. Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to control your emotions and impulses. It includes being able to resist temptation and making responsible choices.

When you have self-control, you are in control of your life and are not controlled by your emotions. You are also able to resist temptation and make choices that are in your best interest and of those around you.

Learning self-control prevents one from doing something as simple as overeating to more serious acts such as sexual assault. You will understand that “no” means “no” and follow suit. The Bible has many lessons about self-control.

10. Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is the willingness to work hard and do your best. It includes being punctual, responsible, and reliable. When you have a strong work ethic, you can be counted on to do your job well.

Your work ethic is important in both your personal and professional life. It is one of the most important moral values to have in the workplace. If you don’t pull your weight at work, it affects your coworkers and can lead to a decline in productivity.

11. Perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to keep going even when things are tough. It includes being persistent and never giving up. When you persevere, you don’t let obstacles get in your way.

Perseverance is the ability to keep going even when things are tough.

An example of perseverance is when someone loses a limb but does not give up and learns to live a full life without it. Some professional runners run after the loss of one or both legs such as in the Paralympics.

12. Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. When you have integrity, you do the right thing even when no one is watching.

A great example of integrity is giving credit to someone whose work you could have taken credit for. I have witnessed people in higher positions take credit for a successful project or achievement they played little part in. However, a leader with integrity would gladly acknowledge the people who did the work and give them the credit they deserve.

13. Humility

Being humble will let you achieve greatness. It includes being modest and not thinking you are better than others. When you are humble, you accept both praise and criticism.

One example of humility is when you are asked to do a task that is below your skill level. A person with humility would not think twice about doing the task and would even be grateful for the opportunity to help. A humble person would not brag or be arrogant about being rich or having a high-level degree or job.

For example, having a Masters’ degree would never cause me to look down on someone who did not finish high school because it has no bearing on their intellect or value as a person.

14. Compassion

Compassion is the ability to care for others and feel empathy for their situation. It includes being kind and understanding. When you are compassionate, you want to help others who are suffering.

The world is in a constant state of flux in which many people suffer various tragedies. Many compassionate people donate money or time to causes such as Habitat for Humanity or The Red Cross. Others may volunteer at soup kitchens or homeless shelters. Some people show compassion by being a listening ear for a friend in need.

15. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the ability to let go of anger and resentment. It includes being able to forgive yourself and others. When you forgive, you do not hold grudges.

It’s natural to feel anger and resentment when someone wrongs you but holding onto that negative emotion will only hurt you in the end. It’s important to learn to forgive so that you can move on with your life.

Forgiveness does not mean you must be friends with the person who wronged you, but it does mean you must let go of the anger and resentment. Holding in anger can affect your physical and mental health.

16. Gratitude

When you are grateful, you realize that everything is a blessing or a learning moment. Being thankful and appreciative not only shows good morals towards others but can also internally benefit you. When you are grateful for what you have – no matter how small, it can make you happier and more positive.

Believe it or not, gratitude includes being thankful for the good and bad in your life. There is a popular saying that “rejection is God’s protection”. In other words, not getting that job or being accepted by a potential lover may be a sign that the world has something better in store for you.

17. Cleanliness

Have you ever heard the expression, ” Cleanliness is close to Godliness”? There is a lot of truth to that statement.

When you are clean, it shows that you have self-respect, and you respect others. It also shows that you are a healthy person who is not a carrier of the disease. Keeping your environment clean is also important. A clean house or office is a sign that you can care for yourself, and others and you are ready to welcome others in.

When someone knowingly lives in a filthy environment, such as in the show “Hoarders”, it can be a sign that they are not in the right frame of mind or may no longer care about their own well-being. Such a situation does not mean they are bad, but some may question their morals and what type of activity they are up to.

18. Patience

When you can wait calmly and not get angry, you are much more likely to have a good outcome. It includes being able to control your emotions and not fly off the handle at the first sign of anger or confrontation. When you are patient, you don’t act impulsively.

A good example of patience is when you are in a long line at the grocery store and the person in front of you is taking a long time. A patient person would not get angry or frustrated. They would understand that everyone moves at a different pace and that eventually, they will get to the front of the line.

19. Kindness

When you are kind, you show concern for others and act in a way that pleases or benefits them. It includes being gentle, caring, and helpful.

There are many ways to show kindness. You can perform random acts of kindness, such as paying for the coffee of the person behind you in line. You can also volunteer your time at a local hospital or nursing home. Or you can simply be a good listener and be there for a friend in need.

Sometimes being kind can be as simple as smiling or saying “hello” or “thank you”. I notice people who work in customer service have often noted my kindness when all I did was smile and be polite.

20. Faithfulness

Faithfulness is being reliable, trustworthy, and having allegiance to someone, something, or an ideal you proclaim to believe in. You can be faithful to a spouse by not cheating on them sexually or emotionally.

Faithfulness is being reliable, trustworthy, and having allegiance to someone, something, or an ideal you proclaim to believe in.

We often associate faith more with God. Showing faith in your god/deity goes beyond words. This can be done by attending religious services, reading religious texts, or being an active member of a religious community.

Most importantly, you show your godly faith in how you treat others and how you live your life. Reading scripture is one thing but following them is how your faith will truly show.

21. Open-mindedness

An open mind is the ability to see things from different perspectives and not be quick to judge. It includes being willing to listen to others, having empathy, and being willing to learn new things even if they are out of your comfort zone.

When you are open-minded, you don’t just listen to others, you actually hear them. You don’t make assumptions about what they are saying but instead, try to understand their point of view. Learning new things, even if they go against what you believe, helps an individual and society continue to move forward.

For instance, you may be open to trying new food that you’ve never had before or learning about a different culture. When it comes to politics, you may have certain beliefs but are willing to be open enough to the idea that there may be another way of looking at the same issue.

A lack of such political open-mindedness has caused many problems for the United States in recent years.

Final Thoughts About Moral Values All People Should Learn

A world without some moral values would be a scary place. Imagine if everyone was out for themselves and no one cared about the well-being of others. It’s important to have empathy and compassion for others. It’s also important to be honest and have integrity.

While some people may argue that moral values are innate, it’s important to learn them anyway. After all, not everyone is born with a strong sense of morality. And, even if someone is born with good moral values, they still need to be taught how to put them into practice.

Hopefully, this list of moral values examples has given you something to think about. If you want more perspective about values, check out the article Intentional Living: 8 Strategies to Live According to Your Values.

Examples of Morals in Society and Literature

• DESCRIPTION

  Examples of Societal Morals

• SOURCE

  Created by Karina Goto for YourDictionary

• PERMISSION

  Owned by YourDictionary, Copyright YourDictionary 

Morals are formed out of a person’s values. Values are the foundation of a person’s ability to judge between right and wrong. Morals build on this to form specific, context-driven rules that govern a person’s behavior. They’re formed from a person’s life experience and are subject to opinion.

For example, someone’s morals might indicate they’re opposed to murder. That’s a pretty general rule of thumb. But what about something more mundane? While one person’s morals might tell them not to gossip, another person’s morals might be quite different. They might not consider gossip to be a bad thing. Consider the following examples of morals and see how many line up with your core values and beliefs.

Morals in Society

Is there really a standard moral code in society these days? Yes, while most people follow society’s laws, they also abide by certain social mores, which are governed by morals. While morals tend to be driven by personal beliefs and values, there are certainly some common morals that most people agree on, such as:

• Always tell the truth
• Do not destroy property
• Have courage
• Keep your promises
• Do not cheat
• Treat others as you want to be treated
• Do not judge
• Be dependable
• Be forgiving
• Have integrity
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Have patience
• Be loyal
• Have respect for yourself and others
• Be tolerant of differences
• Seek justice
• Have humility
• Be generous

For a deeper dive into the difference between values and morals, read What’s the Difference Between Ethics, Morals, and Values?.

Advertisement

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are often considered the basis for societies founded on Judeo-Christian principles. You’ll notice some overlap with the list above, as many of these principles are still embedded in general society.

1. Do not have any gods before me
2. Do not make for yourself a graven image
3. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not kill
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife or possessions

Examples of Morals in Literature

Keep in mind that examples of morals in a story are different from the moral of a story. Remember, morals are rules that govern a person’s behavior. The moral of a story, however, is the overarching teaching the author is trying to present. Of course, the two can align but they are separate entities.

For example, a character might be fighting to release his wrongly-convicted wife from prison because his morals tell him a man’s job is to defend his wife. In his quest to free her, he will do anything, including lying and deceiving (which we know to be in contrast to sound morals), to get her out. In this case, the moral of the story isn’t, “Be honest,” or, “Don’t lie.” Rather, it could be “Family comes first.”

Advertisement

To Kill a Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a white man defending a black man named Tom Robinson, accused of raping a young girl. In the Deep South in the 1930s, this was scandalous, due to pervasive racism. Nevertheless, his morals tell him to protect and serve every member of society, no matter the color of his or her skin.

When the narrator, Scout, asks her father why he’s defending Robinson, he says, “You really never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view — until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. ” Atticus was teaching her empathy and not to judge, both sound morals.

The Dark Witch

The Dark Witch begins a fanciful trilogy by Nora Roberts. In it, we read about an American girl named Iona who travels from Boston to Ireland to meet her cousin Branna, the renowned “Dark Witch.” Together, Iona, Branna, and Branna’s brother join forces to ward off an evil sorcerer who’s been dogging the family for 800 years.

Branna and her brother specifically tell Iona not to cross over certain vines and enter into a part of the forest where the evil sorcerer could capture or injure her. One day, Iona hears her name being called and, in a trance-like state, starts to enter the forest. Luckily, she was able to break the trance before she entered the forest but, when she returned home, she said this to her cousin:

I should tell you something first. I don’t break my word. It’s important. But today, walking back from the stables, I started to go through those vines. I didn’t mean to, but I thought I saw a light, and I heard my name, over and over. It was almost like the dream I had. I felt out of myself, pulled in. Like I needed to go through, to whatever waited. Kathel stopped me — again. I don’t break promises, Branna. I don’t lie.

Here, we don’t have to deduce her morals. They’re clearly stated. She doesn’t break her word; she doesn’t lie. Her morals go on to build a story filled with bravery and courage. Perhaps the moral of the story is to always be brave and do the right thing, but that stems from Iona’s sound morals.

Advertisement

Aesop’s Fables

The most prolific source of moral lessons in literature is Aesop’s Fables. Let’s see some of the teachings that lie within these popular tales:

• Appearances can be deceiving. – The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

  Avoid a remedy that is worse than the disease. – The Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons

• Don’t make much ado about nothing. – The Mountain in Labor
• Every man should be content to mind his own business. – The Seagull and the Kite
• He is not to be trusted as a friend who mistreats his own family. – The Master and His Dogs
• He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others. – The Sick Lion
• He who once begins to tell falsehoods is obliged to tell others to make them appear true, and, sooner or later, they will get him into trouble. – The Monkey and the Dolphin
• He who seeks to injure others often injures only himself. – The Horse and the Stag
• It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a friend in distress. – The Bull and the Goat
• Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. – The Bear and the Two Travelers
• No one should be blamed for his infirmities. – The Old Hound
• Pride goes before destruction. – The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
• The hero is brave in deeds as well as words. – The Hunter and the Woodman
• There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth. – The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf
• Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous. – The Crow and the Raven

Advertisement

What’s Your Moral Code?

These examples of morals and moral lessons demonstrate that, although there are certain morals followed by society as a whole, morals are also highly personal. They’re based on a personal belief system. In literature, often the moral of the story stems from a central character’s set of morals, but it’s interesting to see how someone’s morals move the story along.

If you’re looking to create an interesting story with relatable morals, take a look at these character trait examples. From them, you might be able to develop the central character’s morals, thus creating a fanciful tale.

Moral principles – definition, norms, examples from life

Let’s show how to apply social science in life

Start learning

110. 4K

Each person lives in a society and follows the rules of certain behavior. One part of the rules is regulated by law, the other by moral norms. In this article, we will learn what moral norms are and what principles exist in the modern world.

Definition of moral principles

In other words, moral principles are requirements that must be strictly followed in all life situations.

The formation of moral principles is strongly influenced by upbringing, family relations, religion, environment, culture. What seemed unacceptable and reprehensible some time ago may become the norm and not cause censure. And vice versa: some things that were considered ordinary can become completely unacceptable.

It is moral principles that allow a person to choose the right path in life and influence decision-making in accordance with his conscience throughout his life path, give him a general direction of activity.

Any person goes through several stages of moral development at different stages of his life, and his own moral principles can change under the influence of external factors.

Moral principles are something that is formed and can change throughout life, is relevant for a particular society and for each person separately, without these principles the existence of a harmonious society is impossible.

Practicing child psychologist Ekaterina Murashova

Free course for modern moms and dads from Ekaterina Murashova. Sign up and participate in the drawing of 8 lessons

The history of the term “morality”

It is impossible to say exactly when society first thought about what morality is.

The earliest source that describes this concept is the parables of Solomon (mid-10th century BC). During the life of Homer, conscience, virtue, honor, legality were well known to society.

Confucius (VI-V centuries BC) wrote about issues of morality and morality, who considered mercy, philanthropy and integrity to be the most important universal values.

Cicero made a great contribution to the formation of the concept of morality. He talked a lot about the relationship between ethics, morality and law. He sought to show that it is impossible to separate the concepts of law and morality, since together they allow us to rid society of chaos and create order. Of course, Cicero, who lived in the 1st century BC, was far from a pioneer in this topic. But it was he who introduced the definition of morality, which we are guided by today.

Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato also raised questions of morality and morality in their contemporary society, gave examples of highly moral behavior by the standards of that time.

The term “morality” originates from the Latin moralitas, moralis, mores – tradition, folk custom, behavior, and later – temper, character, mores. Ancient Roman authors translated the word as “corresponding to good morals.” In the 18th century, a similar word was used in French and meant “equal to the law, legal.” The word “morality” also came to Russian through French ( la morale ) in the 18th century.

Get ready for the Unified State Examination in Social Studies with Skysmart courses — fun and effective!

Approaches to understanding morality

There are four approaches to understanding morality:

1. Religious. Its adherents believed that the source of morality is the absolute. To curb his passions, a person is forced to turn to God for help. Faith in him helps to fulfill the absolute rules of behavior.

2. Evolutionary. In the process of natural selection, a person acquires and inherits a certain line of behavior. According to this version, morality comes from the instinct of people’s sociability.

3. Naturalistic. The origin of morality is nature. The human mind defines natural moral values ​​as good or evil.

4. Culturological. Morality is one of the elements of the culture of society.

Basic functions of morality

Morality performs the following functions:

• Integrative function of morality — harmonizes the inner state of a person.

• The evaluative function of morality is associated with a person’s ability to determine the criteria for his own and others’ actions based on the concepts of good and evil. Moral assessment is expressed in praise, censure, agreement, etc.

• The regulatory function of morality – determines the activity, taking into account the needs of the surrounding people, the whole society. Morality establishes social norms that must be observed, imposes sanctions and maintains rules of conduct.

• The controlling function of morality is to check the compliance of human behavior with the norms that are established in society. Control of oneself on the basis of condemnation of others or conscience.

• The educational function of morality is a mechanism for teaching life in society: how to learn to reckon with other people. Morality teaches to understand and accept their needs and interests, forms the personality of the individual, his worldview and personal concepts of good and evil.

• The value-oriented function of morality forms the life values ​​and moral goals for each person, lays the concept of the meaning of life.

Classification of moral principles

A person realizes moral principles as behavior that determines the nature of relationships in society.

The following moral principles are distinguished:

• The principle of humanism is the highest human value, which is expressed in love for one’s neighbor, protection of dignity, in recognition of the right to a happy existence and self-realization.

• The principle of altruism is a moral norm that calls for selfless support to those in need.

• The principle of collectivism is the possibility of coexistence to achieve a common goal. It consists of cooperation, mutual assistance, democracy.

• The principle of justice – equal rights and freedoms for all members of society. Social and economic benefits are available to all without exception and are distributed depending on the amount of effort on the part of each person.

• The principle of mercy is the willingness to sympathize and help those who ask, regardless of social status and appearance.

• The principle of peacefulness is based on the recognition of human life as the highest value. Assumes respect for national and regional characteristics, state sovereignty. Peacefulness contributes to the maintenance of public order, mutual understanding of generations.

• The principle of patriotism is love for the motherland, concern for it, readiness to defend it from enemies, pride in state achievements, respect for history and respect for the national heritage.

• The principle of tolerance means respect, acceptance and correct understanding of the rich diversity of cultures of our world, forms of self-expression and ways of manifestation of human individuality. In other words, the acceptance of cultural diversity without the desire to suppress or correct them.

Moral principles of communication

Moral norms and principles in the context of communication:

• self-respect and showing respect for interlocutors;

• priority of other people’s or public interests over personal ones;

• conscious avoidance of the use of life’s blessings in order to achieve the goal;

• unleashing complex social problems and working in extreme conditions for the sake of higher goals or ideals;

• responsibility and free care for those in need;

• building relationships with members of society on the basis of kindness and benevolence;

• recognition of the inviolability of the personal dignity of every person;

• courtesy and respect for the interlocutor, the use of generally accepted ethical standards;

• communication is a two-way process, not a monologue, each participant contributes to it;

• equality of parties involved in communication, regardless of gender, age, social status;

• sincerity in the expression of feelings, truthfulness of the transmitted information;

• understandability and accessibility for all participants in communication;

• the sequence and correct order of communication elements, for example, question-answer, prompting for a response.

Lack of moral principles

A complete absence of moral principles is impossible – in any case, a person has some idea of ​​what can and cannot be done. These ideas can differ significantly from those generally accepted in a particular society, then such a person can be called immoral. If a person stops developing his personality, stops setting goals and guidelines for himself, then he begins to degrade. Along with this, the regression of the formed moral norms and rules begins.

Lidia Kazantseva

Author Skysmart

To the previous article

320.2K

The concept of the rule of law

To the next article

Proportional electoral system

Get an individual social studies curriculum at a free introductory lesson

At an introductory lesson with methodologist

1. We will identify gaps in knowledge and give advice on learning

2. We will tell you how the classes are going

3. Let’s choose the course

Correlation of law and morality

General features of the norms of law and morality are expressed in the following. As forms of social consciousness and social relations, morality and law have much in common, since they perform a common social function, are the most important means of regulating people’s behavior in society, and are of a normative nature. Citizens observe these norms and principles, as a rule, voluntarily and consciously, morality and law develop on the common foundation of universal human values. Despite the fact that the rules of law are, with rare exceptions (the so-called customary law), written in nature, that is, they are officially proclaimed by the state, and the norms of morality mainly live in the public mind, and morality and law represent detailed systems of rules of conduct that cover almost the entire a set of social relations that express the will of certain social groups, strata and society as a whole, as well as, to a certain extent, some universal ideas about what is fair and proper. These norms are universal and apply to all members of society.

In addition, moral and legal requirements are united by their evaluative-imperative nature. Law and morality are a set of strictly defined, relatively stable, norms of behavior fixed in the public consciousness, reflecting the socio-historical needs of society.

The spheres of moral and legal relations coincide to a certain extent.

It is not only about the fact that the subjects of certain relations are people, social groups and strata, possessing both moral and legal consciousness, representing a certain integrity.

Attitude towards the fatherland, the state, one’s culture, towards other peoples receives only a different form in moral requirements, norms, assessments, on the one hand, and in law, law, codes, on the other. Such values ​​as patriotism, humanism, freedom, rights, justice, conscience act as moral and legal principles. Morality also has the widest field of action outside its sphere of relations (relationships of friendship, mutual assistance, love, compassion, etc.).

When characterizing law and morality, one should not lose sight of the processes of counter-influence of law on morality and, in this regard, the fact that the reality of the prevailing morality, its actual embodiment in life relations, to a large extent depend on how effective and real they are in a given society legal institutions.

An important feature of moral norms is the ability to penetrate into the most diverse spheres of social relations, including economic, political, industrial, etc. And this is understandable, since moral norms are focused on the categories of goodness, honor, conscience, duty, dignity, responsibility, etc.

Morality and law are one. Legal decisions based only on the formal application of the “letter of the law” and taken in isolation from the moral and psychological climate in society cannot be correct and fair. In the overwhelming majority of cases, legal norms are observed voluntarily, since they correspond to the moral ideas of citizens about fair and unfair. The activities of law enforcement agencies to prevent offenses are based primarily on moral education and persuasion, promotion of moral principles, requirements, ideals. Violation of any legal norm is considered as an immoral act and entails, in addition to legal responsibility, moral condemnation. Moreover, the morality of justice is not only the moral validity of criminal procedural norms, but also the ethical impeccability of the very activity of the person conducting the inquiry, the investigator, the prosecutor, the judges for considering and proving crimes, since they have been given such a weapon in the fight against crime as the law.

If progressive principles are proclaimed in law, ideas about the need to respect human rights are declared, and law enforcement practice ignores these principles, this leads to the formation of an atmosphere of disrespect for law and law in society.

At the same time, law does not deal with an individual person, not with his integrity and not with those of his spiritual qualities that transform certain general social properties into individuality, into personality. In a particular case or type of social relations, law refers only to the one-sidedness of a person, acting in the form of a specific social role, function. Establishing social equality between people in terms of their mutual duties, claims and rights, in other words, taking into account the equality of all citizens before the law, setting the possibility of actions within predetermined boundaries, law proceeds from simplifying concepts of a person and relations between people.

Morality, on the contrary, deals in each individual case with a particular person, with his integrating personality traits. From the standpoint of morality, people are compared in their specific properties. From a legal standpoint, people are compared in a formal way, through analogues, with the nature of previous actions and their subsequent results.

Morality sets the ideal scale of life and activity, focuses on the perfect embodiment of norms, values, goals. In contrast to it, law forms socially expedient coordinates of life, proceeds from considerations of the real achievability of the necessary social order by means of normative regulation. This optimality is determined, on the one hand, by the understanding of the social necessity of a particular system of legal relations, and, on the other hand, by real opportunities to ensure a full-blooded life for these legal relations. Figuratively speaking, morality descends from heaven, while law is repelled from the earth.

Morality, appealing to a person as a whole, is unthinkable without a holistic, integrating understanding of each specific social fact, act. For morality, the meaning of a particular situation, the choice of a solution is in their originality, uniqueness. In contrast, law proceeds from considerations of what is typical, standard in actual social life. This type of situation is generated not by the internal life of people, but by their external relations with each other, which requires a precise definition of the boundaries of the activity of each subject. There is no other way to equate people in their relationships.

Legal responsibility, in contrast to moral responsibility, is always specifically defined, and violation of a legal obligation entails the application of sanctions clearly stated in the legislation. The assessment of the nature of illegal actions is carried out in accordance with legal sanctions.

Moral sanctions, as a rule, are not fixed formally, they are expressed in moral language, moral principles and therefore are less definite than legal ones.

Morality is in principle non-violent in nature and, unlike law, excludes direct coercion, proceeds from voluntariness, internal motivation of people’s behavior, provides them with a wide choice. Therefore, moral norms are not institutionalized. When public opinion is deprived of the ability to be an effective regulator of social life, it quickly loses its constructive power and ceases to be a guarantor of morality. Behavioral cynicism, lack of culture and boorishness, indifference and hostility in relations between people, the formation of a counterculture, the revolt of young people against the social framework and programs of an active individual life, nihilism in relation to the measures that organize society are true indicators that morality does not receive natural for her social conditions of existence. Moral sanctions are guaranteed mainly by measures of spiritual, social influence, for example, through the formation of a sense of duty, an appeal to a person’s conscience, a sense of shame for one’s actions, etc.

The most important difference between morality and law concerns the way in which they enforce their norms, how they regulate people’s behavior.

Legal regulations are strictly defined by law. Moral regulation is not based on a law, decree, ordinance, etc. but on the power of public opinion, the power of social customs, or on the personal conviction of the individual. Moral sanctions are carried out by measures of spiritual influence, and not by individuals endowed with any special powers, but by the entire collective, social group, society as a whole.

Thus, both law and morality have the ability to delve into the most diverse areas of social life. Neither law nor morality is limited to a separate sphere of social relations. They are related to the behavior of people in broad areas of their social interaction. Given this, and also taking into account the “universality” of morality, its “ubiquitous”, “all-penetrating” nature, we can conclude that it is impossible to distinguish between law and morality according to the subject areas of their action. Hence the commonality, the close interaction of law and morality.