THE NATURE OF MORALITY

Morality can be easily defined as what is helpful to some and harmful to none. Immorality, of course, is its opposite. However, situations are rarely able to be put into such categorical terms. There are no moral absolutes in a situation, for although some actions are wrong, they may become the lesser evil and can be used for a moral result. Always be ready to compromise and adapt your principles to accommodate circumstance. Violence, for example, is only rarely an effective and permanent solution to a problem. In most cases, it only aggravates the situation and sets a new, greater problem in motion. An excellent demonstration of this came about in the early twentieth century, with the First World War.

WWI was primarily a territorial and economical conflict between European powers and therefore their colonies, with long-standing animosity and hatred thrown into the mix. It was a pointless war; a war not fought on the principles of freedom or morality, but on pride in one's country and a desire to assert dominance over rival countries. This war culminated in the victors (most notably France and Britain) imposing harsh restrictions and penalties upon the most notable loser (Germany), which were laid out in the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty deliberately crippled Germany economically, politically, and militarily, and took the pride from the German people. Soon afterwards came the Great Depression of the 1930's, which knocked the already troubled German people further to the ground. This melting pot of resentment, anger, poverty, and desperation gave rise to the future Führer of Germany- Adolf Hitler, a name now so clichéd it seems a pity to be forced to use it. He promised to restore Germany's glory, and to nullify the hated Treaty, and so he came to power and sparked (through various and controversial motives) the bloodiest, most harmful, saddest war in human history. Millions upon millions of men died slaying each other. The distinction between soldier and civilian; German, French, British, Canadian, American, Italian, and Russian; National Socialist or Communist is utterly irrelevant. Humanity had failed as a species to avoid turning upon itself, and had failed too by showing willing and engaging in the conflict once it had started. Clearly, this is a case of horrific violence escalating and repeating itself in a never-ending loop of sadism, misplaced idealism, and blood.

Yet although the two World Wars in our history show the colossal failure of violence when it is misused, there will always be situations when violence is unavoidable and is indeed the moral high ground. I need not give examples from history, for one can easily imagine such situations occurring closer to home. Although I despise appealing to the popular masculine sentiment of protection of a woman (picture yourself dying to save someone. For most people, including myself, the first image is a woman holding a small child. Clearly our misogynistic ways have not left us), imagine a scenario where the only way one can save a cowering, helpless woman is to beat a threatening, malicious man unconscious. It is obvious that although violence is an imperfect solution in this case- the man's evil intent is neither cured nor permanently contained- it has the best result one could immediately hope for. Were this a utopic world, one could always reason with the man and convince him to turn to a more moral action, but alas, imperfect problems require imperfect solutions. The compromise of one's morals is inevitable, and in the end an inflexible morality can often do more harm than good.

HOW ONE MUST ACT IN A HUMAN WORLD

As aforesaid, morality must be flexible or it is in danger of becoming more wrong than right. Therefore, these following ideals, while worthy of following and inarguably moral, must be subject to revision and adaptation at any given time depending on the situation. These are hardly lofty calls to honour, duty, and justice. Such calls seldom have any application in the world, for all their appeal to our sense of chivalry. One can live an entire lifetime without having any use for these ideals, which are better suited to an older world than the one we live in. And if one does meet a problem that occasions a personal reaction most often found in adventure stories, one will probably act upon instinct. It is difficult to retain a studied ethical position in the pressure of a situation so extraordinary it calls for a sense of duty or honour- in such cases we revert to automatic reaction, much as we may curse ourselves for it later (or be hailed as a hero, whatever the case may be). Rather than speak of such generally impractical ideas, then, I shall write of guidelines for a more everyday existence- the kind we wish would present occasion for a true showing of courage and honour, but probably will not.

In most circumstances, honesty is paramount. Speaking from a purely autocentric point of view,
in the long run honesty shall serve better than dishonesty in relationships with others. When trying to begin a new friendship, lying to suit the prospective friend is pointless, as such a friendship is obviously mismatched. When speaking of oneself, honesty shall gives others a better idea on how to interact with you. Do not lie about one's achievements to downplay them, either, for this is as pointless as lying to make them seem more impressive (although less dangerous). Take pride in what you have done, and accept praise and recognition for it! In the same vein take responsibility for your actions and suffer their consequences when you have acted poorly. What we sow, so shall we reap, so choose your seeds carefully. A farmer must collect his harvest, and those who act and then refuse to allow the effects of their actions enter the situation are cowardly and undeserving of respect. Do not thieve or cheat, for these forms of dishonesty above all foster mistrust and mutual animosity. These sentiments are destructive and unhealthy, and lead to a lack of advancement and progress as individuals and as a species.

Although honesty in taking credit for one's successes and achievements is a good and natural thing, it is easy to take this to an extreme. Avoid pride to the point of arrogance, and do not boast of your accomplishments. In general they are less impressive to the world at large than you think, and it diminishes your actions by altering their motive from such worthy sentiments as love, bravery, ambition, determination, altruism, and generosity to simple narcissism. In any case, this sort of arrogance invariably leads to your humiliation in the face of one better than you at whatever you boast of. Always remember that although you may excel at one thing, do not claim universal superiority. The person to whom you boast may be your superior in many things.

Individuality is of the greatest importance to contentment and happiness. Think and act freely, unconcerned with the thoughts of others. If one always seeks to conform to the wishes of one's peers, one can never live for oneself. However, do not seek to unnecessarily antagonize through individuality, for this is still living for the benefit of others, albeit in a negative way.

Cultivate your body and mind, and use them for your own happiness and for the good of others.