Morality refers to the views of good and evil, right and wrong things, norms of behavior in certain situations, relationships between people in a family or a work collective, accepted in a certain community. The question may arise why morality is called a universal value, whether it is necessary today to adhere to the established moral rules, because many have long considered them obsolete and not suitable for modern life.

Society is steadily moving away from the spiritual values ​​and principles formed over centuries; for the young generation, material well-being and the latest technologies are now in the first place. However, without instilling certain moral values ​​in young people, the human society will inevitably face degeneration and degradation.

The essence of basic moral values

The norms and moral rules of people of different times and nationalities belong to the category of values ​​called universal. Such values ​​are often called principles, canons, laws. They do not belong to the category of material quantities, however, for all humanity living on the planet, they are of great importance.

For centuries, common human values ​​contribute to the development of spiritual life, true freedom and equality for all living in society. If such values ​​are absent in a certain population or are expressed weakly enough, violence, oppression of a person by a person, a predominance of interest only in money and things, explicit or implicit slavery flourish in such a community.

At all times, there were people who carried out the mission of bearers of such high spiritual values, in some cases they belonged to the world of art or religious cults. Among them are many writers, composers, dancers, artists, and clergy. The values ​​that are considered common to all mankind include various objects of art, books, paintings, musical works. A talented person striving for beauty, for changing the world around him for the better, in any era, created unique creations that forever remained the property of posterity.

A sense of duty to family and homeland, honesty, decency, mercy, faith also belong to the category of universal values. The rulers with high intelligence and truly state thinking have always strived to maintain adherence to such principles among their peoples.

From an early age, parents need to instill human values ​​in their child, teach him to be kind, sincere, to cultivate in him the desire to help the weak, to love the people around him, and to take good care of nature. Without the presence of such values ​​in modern conditions, a person will simply lose himself, his unique personality and spiritual world.

In society, a child is raised by both the family and educational institutions, starting from kindergarten. The closest people from infancy teach the baby to be friends, tell the truth, take care of others. The school develops the child's intellectual capabilities, helps him identify an interesting area of ​​activity, and gradually teaches him how to create. The family and the educational institution should complement each other in a harmonious way in the formation of a developing person, they should jointly give the child an idea of ​​responsibility, patriotism, a conscious attitude towards all spheres of life.

A significant problem today is that educational institutions cannot yet find a worthy alternative to the upbringing that existed in Soviet schools. It had many negative features, such as excessive politicization and excessive authoritarianism, but there were also serious advantages. Now children and adolescents are often simply left to their own devices, since parents are constantly busy with ensuring material well-being.

In many respects, the church contributes to the preservation of primordial universal human values. In families where a child from childhood together with loved ones attends the church and gets acquainted with the basic religious commandments, people more often grow up who live according to the laws of morality and ethics.

Why morality is called a universal value was last modified: April 20th, 2019 by Elena Pogodaeva

Morality is a conditional concept of rules, principles, assessments, norms based on the paradigm of assessing evil and good, which was formed in a certain period of time. This is a model of social consciousness, a method of regulating the behavior of a subject in society. It develops both in the individual and in the social form of subjective relations.

The concept of morality from the point of view considered by psychologists is a fragment of the human psyche, formed at a deep level, responsible for assessing events taking place in various planes with the meaning of good and bad. The word morality is often used synonymously with the word morality.

What is morality

The word "morality" has its origins in the classical Latin language. It is derived from the Latin word "mos" meaning disposition, custom. Referring to Aristotle, Cicero, being guided by this meaning, formed the words: "moralis" and "moralitas" - moral and morality, which became equivalents to expressions from the Greek language: ethics and ethical.

Mainly, the term "morality" is used to denote the type of behavior of society as a whole, but there are exceptions, for example, Christian or bourgeois morality. Thus, the term is only used to refer to a limited group of the population. Analyzing the relationship of society in different epochs of existence to the same action, it should be noted that morality is a conditional value, changeable in connection with the accepted social order. Each nation has its own morality based on experience and tradition.

Some scholars have also noticed that different moral rules apply not only to subjects of different nationalities, but also to subjects belonging to an "out-of-band" group. The definition of a group of people in the vector "own", "alien" occurs at the psychological level of the relationship of an individual with a given group in various senses: cultural, ethnic, and others. Identifying himself with a specific group, the subject accepts those rules and norms (morality) that are accepted in it, consider such a way of life to be more just than following the morality of an entire society.

A person knows a large number of meanings of this concept, which is interpreted from all sorts of points of view in various sciences, but its basis remains constant - this is a person's definition of his actions, the actions of society in the equivalent of "good-bad".

Morality is created on the basis of the paradigm adopted in a particular society, since the designations "bad or good" are relative, not absolute, and the explanation of morality or immorality of various kinds of acts is conditional.

Morality, as a union of the rules and norms of society, is formed over a long period on the basis of traditions and laws adopted in a particular society. For comparison, you can use the example associated with the burning of witches - women who were suspected of using magic and witchcraft. In such a period as the Middle Ages, against the background of adopted laws, such an action was considered a highly moral act, that is, good. In the modern paradigm of the adopted laws, such atrocity is considered an absolutely unacceptable and stupid crime in relation to the subject. At the same time, you can put such incidents as holy wars, genocide or slavery. In its era, in a concrete society with its own laws, such actions were taken as the norm, were considered absolutely moral.

The formation of morality is directly related to the evolution of various ethnic groups of mankind in its social vein. Scientists who study the social evolution of nationalities consider morality as the result of the influence of the forces of evolution on the group as a whole and on the individual individually. Based on their idea, the behavioral norms prescribed by morality change during the evolution of mankind, ensuring the survival of species and their reproduction, contributing to the guaranteed success of evolution. Along with this, the subject forms in himself a “pro-social” fundamental part of the psyche. As a result, a sense of responsibility for what has been done, feelings, guilt are formed.

Accordingly, morality is a certain set of behavioral norms that is formed over a long period of time, under the influence of environmental conditions at a certain moment forms a set of established ideological norms that contribute to the development of human cooperation. It is also aimed at avoiding the individualism of the subject in society; the formation of groups united by a common worldview. Sociobiologists consider this point of view in a number of species of social animals; there is a desire to change the behavior of those striving to survive and preserve their own species during the period of evolution. Which corresponds to the formation of morality, even in animals. In humans, moral norms are developed in a more sophisticated and diverse way, but they are also concentrated on preventing individualism in behavior, which contributes to the formation of nationalities and, accordingly, increases the chances of survival. It is believed that even such norms of behavior as parental love are consequences of the evolution of human morality - this type of behavior increases the level of survival of offspring.

Studies of the human brain, conducted by sociobiologists, determine that the parts of the subject's cerebral cortex that are involved in the period when a person is busy with moral issues do not form a separate cognitive subsystem. Often during the period of solving moral problems, brain regions are involved that localize in themselves a neural network that is responsible for the subject's ideas about the intentions of others. To the same extent, the neural network is involved, which is responsible for the presentation by the individual of the emotional experience of other personalities. That is, while solving moral problems, a person uses those parts of his brain that correspond to empathy and empathy, this indicates that morality is aimed at developing mutual understanding between subjects (the ability of an individual to see things through the eyes of another subject, to understand his feelings and experiences). According to the theory of moral psychology, morality as such develops and changes in the same way as the personality is formed. There are several approaches to understanding the formation of morality at the personal level:

- the cognitive approach (Jean Piaget, Lorenz Kohlberg and Elliot Turiel) - morality in personal development goes through several constructive stages or areas;

- biological approach (Jonathan Haidt and Martin Hoffman) - morality is considered against the background of the development of the social or emotional component of the human psyche. Interesting for the development of the doctrine of morality as a psychological component of personality is the approach of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who suggested that morality is formed as a consequence of the "super-ego" striving to get out of the state of guilt.

What are moral norms

Compliance with moral norms is a moral duty of the subject, violation of these measures of behavior is a feeling of moral guilt.

The norms of morality in society are generally accepted measures of the subject's behavior, which arise from the formed morality. The totality of these norms forms a certain system of rules, which in all respects differ from the normative systems of society such as: customs, law and ethics.

In the early stages of formation, moral norms were directly associated with religion, which prescribes the meaning of divine revelation to moral norms. Each religion has a set of certain moral norms (commandments) that are binding on all believers. Failure to fulfill the prescribed moral standards in religion is considered a sinful act. In various world religions, there is a certain pattern in accordance with moral norms: theft, murder, adultery, lies are indisputable rules of conduct for believers.

Researchers studying the formation of moral norms put forward several directions in understanding the meaning of these norms in society. Some believe that observance of the rules prescribed in morality is a priority in the guise of other norms. Followers of this trend, ascribing certain properties to these moral norms: universality, categoricalness, immutability, cruelty. The second direction, which is being studied by scientists, assumes that the attribution of absolutism, generally accepted and obligatory moral norms, acts in the role of no one.

In terms of manifestation, some moral norms in society are similar to legal norms. So the principle "do not steal" is common to both systems, but asking why the subject follows this principle, you can determine the direction of his thinking. If the subject follows the principle because he is afraid of legal responsibility, then his act is legal. If the subject follows this principle with conviction, because theft is a bad (evil) act, the vector of direction of his behavior follows the moral system. There are precedents in which the observance of moral standards is contrary to the law. The subject, considering it his duty, for example, to steal a medicine in order to save his loved one from death, acts morally correctly, while absolutely violating the law.

Investigating the formation of moral norms, scientists have come to a certain classification:

- norms affecting questions about the existence of an individual as a biological being (murder);

- norms on the independence of the subject;

- norms on trust (fidelity, truthfulness);

- norms concerning the subject's dignity (honesty, fairness);

- norms about other norms of morality.

Moral functions

Man is a being that has freedom of choice and he has every right to choose the path of following moral norms, or vice versa. Such a choice of a person who puts good or evil on the scales is called a moral choice. Having such freedom of choice in real life, the subject is faced with a difficult task: to follow personal or blindly follow what is due. Having made a choice for himself, the subject bears certain moral consequences, for which the subject himself is responsible, both to society and to himself.

Analyzing the features of morality, you can extract several of its functions:

- Regulation function. Following moral principles leaves a certain mark on the mind of the individual. The formation of certain views of behavior (what is allowed and what is not allowed) occurs from an early age. This kind of action helps the subject to correct his behavior in the mainstream of usefulness not only for himself, but also for society. Moral norms are able to regulate the individual beliefs of the subject to the same extent of interaction between groups of people, which favors the preservation of culture and stability.

- Evaluation function. Deeds and situations occurring in a social society, morality, assesses in the aspect of good and evil. The actions that have taken place are evaluated for their usefulness or negativity for further development, after which, from the side of morality, each action is evaluated. Thanks to this function, the subject forms the concept of belonging to society and develops his own position in it.

- The function of education. Under the influence of this function, a person develops an awareness of the importance not only of his own needs, but also of the needs of the people who surround him. A feeling of empathy and respect arises, which contributes to the harmonious development of relationships in society, an understanding of the moral ideals of another individual, and contributes to a better understanding of each other.

- Control function. Determines the control of the use of moral norms, as well as the condemnation of their consequences at the level of society and the individual.

- Integration function. Compliance with moral norms unites humanity into a single group, which supports the survival of humans as a species. And also helps to maintain the integrity of the spiritual world of the individual. The key functions of morality are: evaluative, educational and regulatory. They reflect the social significance of morality.

Morality and ethics

The term ethics has a Greek origin from the word "ethos". The use of this word denoted the actions or actions of a person that were personally imperious to him. Aristotle defined the meaning of the word "ethos" as the virtue of the character of the subject. Subsequently, it became customary that the word "ethicos" is ethos, meaning something related to the temperament or disposition of the subject. The emergence of such a definition led to the formation of the science of ethics - the study of the virtues of the character of the subject. In the culture of the ancient Roman Empire, there was a word "moralis" - defining a wide range of human phenomena. Later, a derivative from this term "moralitas" appeared - referring to customs or character. Analyzing the etymological content of these two terms ("moralitas" and "ethicos"), one should note the coincidence of their meanings.

Many people know that concepts such as "morality" and ethics "are close in meaning, just as often they are considered interchangeable. Many people use these concepts as extensions of each other. Ethics is, first of all, a philosophical direction that studies questions of morality. Often the expression "ethics" is used to denote specific moral principles, traditions, customs that exist among the subjects of a limited group of society. The Kantian system considers the word morality, using it to refer to the notions of duty, principles of conduct, and obligation. The word "ethics" is used by Aristotle's system of reasoning to denote virtue, the indivisibility of moral and practical considerations.

The concept of morality, as a system of principles, forms a set of rules that are based on many years of practice, and allows a person to determine the style of behavior in society. Ethics is a section of philosophy and theoretical substantiation of these principles. In the modern world, the concept of ethics has retained its original designation as a science in the ranks of philosophy that studies human properties, real phenomena, rules and norms that are moral norms in society.

People are investing in the concept of morality already an ordinary idea of ​​good and evil. In reality, it all comes down to the two above categories and the ability to distinguish them in each individual situation. The spectrum of moral standards is much wider than it seems at first glance.

Definition and characteristics

Morality is the accepted in society ideas about good and evil, about what is right and what is not. The ability to distinguish good from bad is manifested in the actions and thoughts of individuals in particular, and human associations in general. Morality acts as a way of self-organization of society with its inherent controlling aspects.

Moral norms have their own distinctive features:

1. Extension to all members of society, regardless of their position.
2. Freedom of choice in following or not following moral norms, although a person's decision is significantly influenced by: his conscience, public opinion and belief in the existence of karma and other personal prejudices.
3. Total penetration into all spheres of people's life, be it the economic or social area, including the range of their interests and activities: creativity, education or business.

Concepts of the emergence of morality

The study of the essence of morality and its influence on the consciousness and actions of people is engaged in a separate branch of philosophy - ethics. Answering the question about the origin and development of human morality, scientists were divided into three main groups, each of which tends to a certain point of view:

Morality is bestowed on people by God

Divine law (carries the highest, paramount importance for the foundations of morality) consists of three stages:

1. the eternal law, which is hidden in the divine mind, implies that without faith in God there will be no morality;
2. the natural law of morality, the meaning of which is that human nature, the soul created by the creator, always seeks to merge with him;
3. positive human law, the lowest of the three, is the commonality of legal and moral norms that are accepted in society.

Ethical norms were laid down by nature in people from the very beginning

Supporters of this naturalistic concept, relying on the scientific works of Charles Darwin and P. Kropotkin, expressed the idea of ​​the similarity of the psychology of consciousness and behavior of primitive people and animals. In ancient times, a person in the first place was the clan with all the customs and rules established in it, taboos and prejudices, habits and interests that are obligatory for the majority, which implied the fusion of individual representatives into a single whole. From here, the adherents of this idea believe, ethics originated and began to develop, from this identification of oneself with others arose the concept of justice, and later - morality.

The origin and improvement of morality happened only with the development of society

Representatives of the sociologizing point of view believe that the answer to the question of the emergence of morality should be sought not in human essence. The primary source here is the historical and social conditions for the development of society, as well as its needs, the satisfaction of which is expressed in the desire to more profitably and conveniently for itself (society) to organize the optimal coexistence of people with each other.

Norms and principles of morality

Of the whole variety of moral norms, it is customary to highlight only seven, which are becoming the most widespread and relevant in the modern world (their influence can also be traced in religious teachings):

1. Sanity, or prudence, that is, the ability of a person to think reasonably, not succumbing to emotions and momentary impulses.
2. Asceticism, or abstinence, extending not only to sexual relations between people, but also to restrictions on food, entertainment and other pleasures, because an overabundance of material values ​​distracts from the improvement of spiritual values.
3. Fairness, or impartiality, manifested in the assessment of other people, including respect for them, their needs and interests. For all the actions that a person has committed in relation to others, at a certain time, a commensurate response should appear: retribution or a reward.
4. Stubbornness, or steadfastness, means the ability to overcome difficulties, making experience from it. It can be shared with others, helping to move forward, despite the obstacles that arise along the path of life.
5. Diligence, or perseverance, a quality that helps a person to realize himself in any business related not only to personal benefit, but also to public benefit. This moral principle has been valued since the dawn of mankind and is of great importance in society to this day.
6. Humility, or obedience, expresses the ability of a person to stop in time, without having time to break the wood.
7. Politeness, or delicacy, is the basis of diplomacy, constructive relationships and profitable deals.

In addition to the above moral norms, there are moral principles that contribute to the definition of uniform, similar forms of interaction between people in society. These are the criteria for behavior:

1. humanism - a person, his dignity and intrinsic value is recognized as the highest value;
2. collectivism - the conscious desire of the individual to contribute with all his might to the common good;
3. altruism - the willingness to help others free of charge and unselfishly;
4. mercy is a manifestation of good nature, benevolence, compassion and philanthropy;
5. voluntary abandonment of extreme individualism and manifestations of selfishness;
6. the principle of the golden mean - a sense of proportion in everything: in deeds, actions, emotions;
7. the principle of talion, or "an eye for an eye" - the need to compensate for losses to one individual at the expense of another, if the loss of the first occurred through the fault of the second. At the same time, it is necessary to tune in to the search for positive and constructive methods of getting out of crisis or conflict situations.

A moral norm obliges a person to perform certain actions or prescribes how he should behave in similar situations; the moral principle shows the general direction of the effort that must be made during the activity.

The purpose of morality

To understand how important the importance of morality and its functions in human life is, it is necessary to consider the main:

Regulatory function

Legislation is a way of regulating relations between people and their behavior, which is enshrined at the official, that is, formal level. The main difference between the regulatory function of morality is that it does not need any documents, since the adoption of moral norms and principles is a voluntary desire of a person; they regulate his actions, becoming part of his personal views, principles and beliefs.

Evaluation function

It consists in the perception of one's own and others' actions, that is, it is a moral assessment of reality from the point of view of its comprehension based on humanistic potential.

Educational function

Thanks to moral norms, moral principles, as well as the rules of behavior that educate a person in society, certain social ideals are formed and a person's inner striving develops to ensure a proportional combination of individual and social interests so that the efforts made in achieving the goals are not bad for those around them.

Controlling function

Covert control by others over the behavior of the individual; in response to certain actions, both positive and negative sanctions can be imposed.

Integrating function

It exists to maintain a harmonious state inside a person, since everyone analyzes his actions and deeds, including from a moral point of view.

The value of morality in human society

Morality is included in absolutely all areas of human life, while it itself is not an organized sphere of activity. Morality does not lend itself to institutionalization and any kind of management, at the same time it is all-encompassing. Ethical requirements are expressed in the form of an imperative, as a command to act in a certain way out of a sense of moral duty to other people.

Man is a biosocial being, therefore the presence of a society is necessary for his normal life. Each of us has a need to be close to other representatives of the species Homo sapiens. Only with the help of morality, which manifests itself through the rules and requirements, as well as the self-awareness of the individual and any community as a whole, is the collective expression of will expressed in coordination of individual and group interests.

In society, there is a commonality of three elements of the structure of morality:

1. moral activity;
2. moral consciousness;
3. moral relations.

Morality is very important both for the life of an individual and for the normal functioning of the whole society as a whole, because it acts as a natural regulator of relations, a kind of internal censor to whom we turn when we do not know if we are doing the right thing.

Morality; Moral) is a term used in relation to an individual or group and denotes the conditions under which self-control, self-confidence and disciplined behavior are exercised.

"Behind a person's actions is not public opinion, not a general moral code, but the personality itself, in relation to which he remains at the unconscious level for the time being. Each of us is always what he was before, and in the same way he certainly there is already something that will only become "(CW 11, par. 390; OI, p. 302).

Psychologically, a moral problem is formulated when a person is faced with the question of who he can become, as opposed to who he will become, if certain attitudes are established, decisions are made and actions are encouraged without reflection.

Jung argued that morality is not an invention of society, but is inherent in the very laws of life. It is the person who acts with the knowledge of his own moral responsibility to himself who creates culture to a greater extent than everyone else.

Unlike Freud's super-ego, Jung assumed that it is the innate principle of individuality that compels each person to hold moral views that are consistent with himself. This principle restores the balance between conscious and unconscious forces.

Any encounter with archetypes poses a moral problem. In particular, the archetype of the self makes strong authoritarian demands. Here Jung emphasizes that one can consciously say "no" to the power of the self, although union with it is also possible. But trying to ignore or reject the self is immoral, as it denies the unique potential of human existence. It is the conflict of opposites that poses a moral problem for the individual.

Morality

from the point of view of social psychology, morality has to be viewed as a certain form of social behavior, developed and established in the interests of the ruling class, which is different for different classes. That is why there has always been a morality of masters and a morality of slaves, and that is why periods of crises have been the greatest crises of morality. (3.1, 250) See Behavior

MORALITY

1. A doctrine or set of principles of action, a moral code. 2. Such quality of action, due to which this action, according to a specific moral code, is considered correct and appropriate or not. Morality, insofar as it derives from the social codification of right and wrong, can be viewed either as internal and therefore as part of the individual's personal code, or as external imposed by society. While some truths seem self-evident, this may not be the case where a universal moral code exists or can be established (with Kant's permission); as in the case of ethics, the relativistic position is recommended here.

Morality

from lat. moralis moral),

1) morality, a special form of social consciousness and the type of social relations (moral relations); one of the main ways of regulating human actions in society with the help of norms. Unlike a simple custom or tradition, moral norms are ideally substantiated in the form of the ideals of good and evil, ought, justice, etc. Unlike law, the fulfillment of moral requirements is sanctioned only by forms of spiritual influence (public assessment, approval or condemnation). Along with universal elements, morality includes historically transient norms, principles, ideals. Morality is studied by a special philosophical discipline - ethics;

2) a separate practical moral instruction, moral teaching (morality of the fable, etc.).

Morality

Morality

lat. moralis - moral) - 1. a set of unwritten, conditional (conventional) principles and norms of behavior in relation to oneself, other people, social groups and society as a whole. One of the most important problems of personality theory is the study of the nature and development of human moral consciousness. The psychopathology of moral consciousness is developed only in the most general terms; 2. with a negative connotation - moralizing, teaching, reading moral maxims; 3. an instructive conclusion.

Morality

a concept through which customs, laws, deeds, characters expressing the highest values ​​and obligations are isolated in the mental and practical experience of people, through which a person manifests itself as a rational, self-conscious and free being.

The concept of "morality" is formed in philosophical reflection with the aim of generalizing those aspects of human life, which were designated by the words "good (good) and evil", "justice and willfulness", "right and wrong", as well as "character warehouse", "norms and principles of behavior "," dignity ", etc.

The main differences in the philosophical, ethical and moralistic interpretations of morality are determined by differences in understanding the source of morality and the content of the moral ideal.

According to the understanding of the source of morality, they differ typologically:

a) naturalistic concepts that derive morality from nature, representing morality as the moment in the development of natural (biological) laws (J.O. de La Mettrie, evolutionary ethics);

b) sociological concepts that take morality out of society, representing morality as an element of social organization (Nietzsche, Z. Freud, who highlight the main function of morality as socially repressive);

c) anthropological "concepts, deriving morality from human nature, interpreting morality as an inalienable quality of man (Democritus, Aristotle, J.P. Sartre, E. Fromm);

d) supranaturalistic concepts that derive morality from some transcendental source, in religious teachings morality is presented as a divine commandment given in revelation (Plato, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Russian religious and philosophical tradition).

According to the interpretation of the ideal, they differ:

a) hedonistic teachings, according to which, the highest value and goal of a person is pleasure, and all duties of a person are ultimately subordinated to his desire to receive pleasure (Cyrenaics, D. De Sade);

b) utilitarian, or pragmatist teachings, according to which what serves a specific purpose is morally valuable, and a person must perform useful actions and strive for success (the sophists, Mill, B. Franklin, F. Chernyshevsky, Marxism);

c) perfectionist teachings, according to which the highest value is perfection, and everyone should improve in an effort to get closer to the ideal

(Plato, Augustine, B. Spinoza, V.S.Soloviev, N.A. Berdyaev);

d) humanistic teachings, according to which the highest moral value is a person, and the duty of each is to contribute to the good of the other (Shaftesbury, A. Schopenhauer, Fromm).

The classification is based on the allocation of "primary" values: the ethics of happiness, the ethics of duty, i.e. relate to speculative images of morality, indicate the priority of a certain value (pleasure, benefit, perfection, mercy).

And what is strictly prohibited. These rules are not necessarily legally binding. The one who violates them is not always punished by the state and its structures, but may become an outcast in society. In these cases, they say that the person has violated the moral principles accepted in his environment. A striking discrepancy between laws and moral principles - duels, with the help of which the nobility in the past settled many disputes. Such fights were prohibited by law in many countries, but refusal to duel in the eyes of this class was often an offense much more serious than breaking the law.

The concept of morality was formed in ancient Greece. Moral Socrates called the science of man, as opposed to physics, which dealt with natural phenomena. This is a part of philosophy that tries to answer the question about the true purpose of man. This has been tried yet. According to the epicureans and hedonists, the true purpose of human existence is happiness. The Stoics developed their concept and defined this goal as a virtue. Their position was reflected in the views of philosophers of later eras - for example, Kant. The position of his "philosophy of duty" is based on the fact that a person cannot be just happy, he must deserve this happiness.

There are ideal and real morals, and the second does not always coincide with the first. For example, the ten commandments are the foundation of Christian morality. Ideally, every Christian should follow them. However, numerous wars, including religious ones, were a clear violation of the prohibition to kill. In each belligerent country, and other moral standards that are more consistent with the needs of society in a particular era. It was they, in combination with the commandments, that represented real morality. Modern philosophers see morality as a way to preserve a society. Its task is to reduce conflicts. It is primarily seen as a theory of communication.

The moral principles of each individual person are formed in the process of education. The child learns them primarily from parents and other people around him. In some cases, the assimilation of moral norms occurs in the process of adaptation of a person with already established views to another society. This problem is constantly faced, for example, by migrants.

Along with public morality, there is also individual morality. Each person, performing this or that act, finds himself in a situation of choice. It is influenced by a variety of factors. Submission to moral norms can be purely external, when a person performs some action only because it is accepted in his environment and his behavior will cause sympathy among others. Such a morality Adam Smith defined as the morality of feeling. But motivation can also be internal, when a good deed causes the person who committed it to feel a sense of harmony with himself. This is one of the principles of the morality of inspiration. According to Bergson, an act must be dictated by a person's own nature.

In literary criticism, morality is often understood as the conclusion that follows from the description. For example, morality exists in a fable, and sometimes in a fairy tale, when in the final lines the author explains in plain text what he wanted to say with his work.

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• New Philosophical Encyclopedia

The debate about the relationship between morality and ethics among philosophers has been going on for a very long time. For some researchers these concepts are identical, for others they are fundamentally different. At the same time, the terms are close to each other and represent the unity of opposites.

The concept of morality and morality

Morality is a system of values ​​established in a particular society. Morality is the mandatory observance of universal social principles by an individual. Morality is analogous to the law - it permits or prohibits certain actions. Morality is determined by a specific society, it is established based on the characteristics of this society: nationality, religiosity, etc.

For example, those actions that are allowed in Western states (USA, UK) will be prohibited in the states of the Middle East. If Western society does not impose strict rules on women's clothing, then Eastern societies strictly regulate this, and the appearance of a woman with a bare head in Yemen would be considered offensive.

In addition, morality is in the interests of a particular group, for example, corporate morality. Morality in this case determines the model of behavior of a corporate employee, shaping his activities in order to increase the profits of the organization. Unlike the law, morality is oral and often moral norms are not enshrined in writing.

The moral categories include philosophical concepts such as kindness, honesty, politeness. Moral categories are universal and inherent in almost all societies. A person who lives in accordance with these categories is considered moral.

The ratio of morality and morality

Morality are philosophical categories that are close in meaning, and disputes about the relation of these concepts have been going on for a very long time. I. Kant believed that morality is a person's personal convictions, and morality is the realization of these convictions. Hegel contradicts him, who believed that moral principles are the product of man's inventions about the essence of good and evil. Hegel perceived morality as a product of social consciousness that dominates the individual. According to Hegel, morality can exist in any society, while morality appears in the process of human development.

At the same time, comparing the philosophical approaches of Hegel and Kant, one can notice one common feature: philosophers believed that morality proceeds from the inner principles of a person, and morality concerns interactions with the external world. Based on the philosophical definitions of the concepts of morality and morality, it can be concluded that with the help of morality and ethics, society evaluates the behavior of an individual, evaluates the principles, desires and motives of a person.

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