Modern morality is more so a product of social conditioning than a mulled over introspective phenomena. So many people follow what is deemed socially lawful and call that their moral compass. This isn’t to say that most, or even any, well-integrated social rules aren’t something I agree with, the aspect that disturbs me is that it is very rare that we look within ourselves for moral correction.
Maybe it’s because ethics are considered universal and by that regard obvious and not worth space in one’s mind. Or, perhaps it is rooted in fear. It’s hard to consider, but nearly every aspect of morality is naturally petrifying to the human mind. One’s conscience is inherently the force that guides a person between good and evil choices, but it is rarely a hard and fast set of rules. This terrifies people; if one confines themself to such a stark set of confines then they are bound to fail at some point by nature, which would make them evil. So we mold and change our ethics to the situation, for if we keep our morals nebulous we never lose; we never become evil.
This is why we so much correct beyond our own spheres of consciousness; we force our ever-changing set of rules upon others in a sick game of king of the anthill. Pleasure is derived from this perceived power and the lust for perceived power comes from fear. It really is quite sickening if you think about it. Many people’s morals are simply a product of the fear of becoming evil, and the adjustments that are made to never become evil in their own eyes and hopefully the eyes of others.
This resistance against evil is ridiculous. For we all commit evil deeds and good deeds in variable proportions, and to count every single one since the day you leave the womb is absurd. What is even more absurd is to take that rough estimate of how many good and bad deeds you have committed in your life then place them up against someone else’s moral compass. Where does that bring you to? An apeish conjecture of how well you “morally” stack up in the eyes of two entirely different people, with entirely different backgrounds and personalities? It brings you to the conclusion that is true. There is no objective good and evil in the mortal realm; we have chosen to define, each for ourselves, what is right or wrong.
Comparing is futile. Adjustment is futile. Outside correction is futile. The only venture that is worthwhile is thinking truly and wholly about your own morals. Consider your background. Consider your experiences. Consider everything, for your ethics, are a huge part of you and your psyche. One’s morals may shape themselves as time goes by and your world alters around you, but they should not be adjusted simply to avoid actions falling on the evil side of them.
The importance of this is rooted in power. The fear of failure drives the desire for quick hits of perceived power to numb the suffering that comes with no true sense of morality. The way to acquire true power is to become comfortable with and having calm observance of one’s true nature through their own eyes. This isn’t a fleeting pleasure band-aid, but rather a routine from which happiness and contentment may be derived. By being comfortable with something that is so important to one’s reality one becomes more in tune themself. One can gain confidence in their duality and obtain a sense of self that is extremely powerful. Or ignore all of this, for who am I to decide the manner in which one lives. I can only adjust and hammer out my own many flaws.
Picture Credit: Aaron Almeida
