What is morality - origin, how it is formed, examples, structure and functions

What distinguishes a person from an animal is the presence of certain rules of behavior in a community of their own kind. Norms are formed under the influence of a whole complex of attitudes, which are characterized by the concepts of ethics, morality, morality. They are similar in many ways, but also differ in some ways. It is worth understanding what morality is.

Morality - what is it?

The essence of this phenomenon was described by Mayakovsky in his famous poem about good and bad. There is a breakdown of the criteria of good and evil, how to act and what not to do. However, it should be taken into account that the author worked during the existence of the USSR, where communist ideology was present. For states of the bourgeois system, other norms of behavior “worked”. We can conclude that morality in social science is a set of rules of behavior and life that are approved by society.

Origin of morality

The term was coined by the ancient Roman scientist Cicero. Later, four approaches were formed to study the question of what morality is:

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 follow 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 sociability of people.
3. Naturalistic
   . The root cause of morality is nature (either in general or in a person). The human mind defines natural moral values ​​(including those within itself) as good or evil.
4. Cultural
   . Morality is one of the elements of society's culture.

What are social norms

Social norms are regulations that we demand from each other in society.

These requirements establish the boundaries, conditions and goals of our communication, which greatly facilitates the interaction process. When you come to work, a restaurant or a store, you know exactly what awaits you there.

There are, of course, exceptions when someone decides to violate these norms. For example, you came to the clinic, and the doctor refuses to examine you, or your spouse has a mistress on the side. Violations of the rules are condemned by society, and many are also prosecuted by the law. There are people (sociopaths) who completely ignore them.

Standards of social behavior first arose in ancient times, when people began to unite in groups. To be accepted, you must comply with the laws established within this community.

It was scary to violate them, because such members were expelled, and they found themselves completely alone, in which it was extremely difficult to survive: they could be killed by representatives of other tribes or eaten by wild predators. The rules changed along with the development of man - the change and growth of his needs.

Social norms are rules that have the following characteristics:

1. they are approved by all people (the majority);
2. have as their goal the regulation of social relations;
3. control the behavior of members of society, condemn deviations from the norm;
4. objective and independent of the individual’s desires (stealing is bad for everyone);
5. have different degrees of mandatory execution.

How is morality formed?

Worldviews improve as any social system matures. The formation of morality depends not only on the maturity of social foundations, but also on nationality and race, on the geographical location of the region where society lives. What morality is in social science can be understood by tracing the pattern of development of society. In the primitive communal and subsequent early formations of people, the principle of Talion (a tooth for a tooth) prevailed. In modern Western-style societies, the main moral law is tolerance.

Moral Traits

Morality, which is largely decisive for the regulation of life in society, has several main features. Thus, its fundamental requirements for all members of society are the same, regardless of position. They operate even in situations that are outside the area of ​​responsibility of legal principles and extend to such areas of life as creativity, science, and production.

Norms of public morality, in other words, traditions, are significant in communication between specific individuals and groups of people, allowing them to “speak the same language.” Legal principles are imposed on society, and failure to comply with them carries with it consequences of varying severity. Traditions and moral norms are voluntary; every member of society agrees to them without coercion.

Examples of morality

Whenever it comes to issues of moral behavior, there is an internal assessment of actions on a scale of good and evil. To say whether an action is moral or not, you need to take into account all the circumstances of the situation:

1. Tell only the truth, do not deceive anyone
   . However, the concept of morality will be absent if speaking truthfully can betray a friend.
2. Respect other people's right to their own lives
   . At the same time, euthanasia causes a mixed reaction in society.
3. Show generosity
   . However, giving too much can corrupt.
4. Be true
   . Shows of loyalty are moral as long as they do not turn into fanaticism.
5. Be a good citizen of society
   .
6. Live a selfless life
   . Altruism is the highest manifestation of morality. When moral responsibility for people goes beyond personal well-being.

How do moral standards work?

The content of a person’s behavior is determined by his moral principles, since they contain some basic algorithms of behavior in a specific situation. The set of these principles is determined by the characteristics of a particular society. They are aimed at regulating various sectors of human life, as well as his actions. At the same time, all moral norms are constantly supported by public authority, discipline and opinion, and this is also reinforced by the conviction of every person in society about the need to adhere to proper behavior in specific conditions.

It is worth noting one more feature of moral norms. They are not simply a consequence of the existing social order, but act as an ideological justification for a person’s specific ideas about proper or inappropriate behavior , both in general and in a specific life situation. This is one of the key differences between moral norms and simple customs and habits, which include celebrating a birthday, wedding, or New Year.

The structure of morality

The organization of social foundations has a complex multi-level structure. They can be formed in the following sectors:

1. Moral rules
   . They directly affect the relationships between people at the “lowest” social level.
2. Moral principles
   . This higher level is associated with the establishment of certain internal “laws” of the development of society. Their violation causes a negative reaction from the entire society.
3. Moral ideals
   . What is morality at this level? This is what a role model is and what this conglomerate of people strives for.

Consequences of violating moral standards

First of all, it should be noted the voluntary nature of compliance with moral standards. However, violation of such principles leads to the imposition of certain sanctions, manifested in a negative assessment and condemnation of the behavior of a particular person. This nature of sanctions demonstrates moral condemnation and a ban on repeating such behavior in the future. Moreover, such moral sanctions can be addressed both to a specific person and to certain social groups. Moral sanctions act as another pillar that supports and reinforces the moral requirements of social norms.

It is worth noting that some moral norms, or rather their violation, may imply much more stringent sanctions, which are determined by the norms of formal requirements existing in society. For example, if a serviceman lied to his commander, then such behavior will lead to serious consequences, which will be determined by the severity of the consequences resulting from the deception.

Moral standards can be expressed in positive and negative forms. An example of a positive one is such laws as “be honest”, “respect your elders”, “help your neighbor”. Negative manifestations imply the prohibitive nature of norms, for example, “thou shalt not steal.”

Functions of morality

They help fulfill the main task: to protect against bad deeds. The main purposes include:

1. Integrative function of morality
   . Designed to harmonize the individual's state of mind.
2. Evaluation function
   . It is associated with a person’s ability to determine the criteria for his actions on the “good-evil” scale.
3. Regulatory function
   . She is responsible for setting social norms that must be followed.
4. Controlling function
   . This is a check of the compliance of an individual's behavior with the norms established in society.
5. Educational function of morality
   . This is a mechanism for learning to live in society: how to learn to reckon with other people. He teaches to understand and accept their needs and interests.

Classification of moral principles

A person recognizes 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, recognition of the right to a happy existence and self-realization.
• The principle of altruism is a moral norm that calls for providing 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, and democracy.
• The principle of justice is equal rights and freedoms for all members of society. Social and economic benefits are available to everyone 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. It assumes respect for national and regional characteristics and state sovereignty. Peacefulness helps maintain social order and mutual understanding between generations.
• The principle of patriotism is love for the Motherland, care for it, readiness to defend it from enemies, pride in state achievements, respect for history and respect for national property.
• 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 manifesting human individuality. In other words, accepting the diversity of cultures without the desire to suppress or correct them.

Principles of morality

They are necessary for the formation of norms and rules that contribute to the correct development of social relationships. Basic principles of morality:

1. Taliona
   . Characteristic of the early stage of development of society. It says: "an eye for an eye." If any harm has been caused to a person, he must take revenge.
2. "The Golden Mean"
   . This means observing moderation in everything and not going to extremes. In relation to other people, you need to look for ways to compromise.
3. Morals
   . The principle involves observing God-given laws. Its main expression is found in the 10 commandments of Moses.
4. Prosperity
   . A person's actions should benefit as many people as possible.
5. Justice
   . It is based on the potential equality of all people before God. To each is measured according to his deeds.
6. Humanism
   . The set of norms of behavior boils down to the need to be tolerant and compassionate towards others. Living in society, it is advisable to strive to bring maximum benefit to it.

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 relationships, religion, environment, and culture. What seemed unacceptable and reprehensible some time ago may become the norm and not cause condemnation. And vice versa: some things that were considered ordinary may 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, giving him a general direction for his activities.

Every 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.

Categories of morality

These are general conceptual elements that describe this subject matter. Moral principles are based on them. Moral categories include:

• good and evil as opposing criteria for evaluating phenomena;
• justice is a measure of the distribution of benefits;
• honor stands guard over compliance with a person’s internal code;
• debt is something for which a person is responsible in life;
• conscience is an indicator of critical assessment of actions;
• happiness as a result of moral behavior.

Morality in the 21st century

Human resource management - what it is, principles and functions of the process

Currently, moral principles are increasingly being declared archaic or classified as prejudices. It is believed that modern moral norms must be scientifically substantiated, sufficiently reasoned, and subject to logic. Current society does not accept many rules of morality only on faith without an evidence base. However, personal moral standards are formed for each person based on his worldview and personal beliefs.

Important! The biblical 10 commandments are relevant and universal to this day and are not denied by modern adherents of logical morality.

The eternal struggle between good and evil

Rules of morality

Each person has their own. Moral qualities depend on the level of personal development. However, humanity has developed universal rules of morality:

1. Golden rule: don’t do to someone else what you wouldn’t want them to do to you.
2. Be honest with yourself. This means being able to admit your own mistakes.
3. Put yourself in another person's shoes. This will help you feel people better.
4. Control the manifestations of negativity in yourself.
5. The first impression may be false. After all, what is morality if not the search for a deeper meaning.

Lack of moral principles

A complete absence of moral principles is impossible - a person in any case has some idea of ​​​​what can and cannot be done. These ideas may differ significantly from those generally accepted in a particular society, then such a person may 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, a regression of formed moral norms and rules begins.

What is immoral behavior?

This is a violation of moral principles, expressed in actions. Immoral behavior is directly related to weak spiritual and moral attitudes of the individual. Another reason is commitment to human vices. If an individual behaves immorally, it means that his parents and society did not instill in him certain standards of behavior that are considered moral in society. Further circumstances of life (the environment or being at the bottom of the social ladder) developed in him his own internal moral consciousness. It began to contradict morality in society.

Moral principles of communication

Moral norms and principles in the context of communication:

• self-respect and showing respect to interlocutors;
• priority of other people's or public interests over personal ones;
• conscious avoidance of using life's benefits for the sake of achieving a set goal;
• tackling complex social problems and working under extreme conditions for higher goals or ideals;
• responsibility and free care for those in need;
• building relationships with members of society based on kindness and benevolence;
• recognition of the inviolability of the personal dignity of each person;
• politeness 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 participating in communication, regardless of gender, age, social status;
• sincerity in expressing feelings, truthfulness of transmitted information;
• clarity and accessibility for all participants in communication;
• consistency and correct order of communication elements, for example, question-answer, encouragement to respond.

Law and morality - similarities and differences

Common features of these concepts:

1. Law and morality are intended to be regulators of social relationships. Both have social status.
2. Both systems in their modern form arose on the basis of development experience.
3. They are based on society’s ideas about good and evil, social justice.
4. They take into account the needs and interests of individuals in a specific manifestation (for example, protection of personality, property, life).

Morality and law differ in the following positions:

1. Moral standards arise in society itself. Legal laws create special bodies according to strictly regulated rules. They also control their implementation.
2. Moral standards are transmitted orally (rarely when specifically written down). Legal postulates are always spelled out in official documents.
3. What is morality if not a set of different meanings of existence for different strata of society. Legal norms are the same for all citizens. They do not allow for differences of interpretation.

History of the term "morality"

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

The earliest source that describes this concept is the parables of Solomon (mid-10th century BC). During Homer's life, society was well aware of conscience, virtue, honor, and legality.

Confucius (6th–5th 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 how ethics, morality and law relate to each other. He sought to show that it is impossible to separate the concepts of law and morality, since together they make it possible to rid society of chaos and create order. Of course, Cicero, who lived in the 1st century BC, was far from a pioneer on this topic. But it was he who introduced the definition of morality that we still rely on today.

Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato also raised questions of morality in their contemporary society and 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 - disposition, character, mores. Ancient Roman authors translated the word as “conformity to good morals.” In the 18th century, a similar word was used in French and meant “equal to the law, legitimate.” The word “morality” also came into Russian through French (la morale) in the 18th century.

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Morality and morality - similarities and differences

Similar concepts have common characteristics:

• are based on the same basic concepts;
• have common rules and ideas;
• accepted by the whole society;
• are not mandatory.

The difference between morality and ethics:

1. One applies to the social sphere. The other is to the spiritual.
2. Morality can change its principles. Morality remains unchanged.
3. Morality is relative (in different circumstances, the same act may be immoral). Morality is absolute in all cases.
4. Violation of moral standards may result in sanctions from society. Only conscience punishes violations of morality.

What are moral principles

Moral principles are a form of manifestation of the internal moral requirements of a particular person, a group of people or an entire society. Human society is constantly transforming, and moral standards are changing along with it: what was considered unacceptable and reprehensible some time ago can now be considered normal and not cause condemnation.

The formation of moral principles is greatly influenced by religion, spiritual teachings, culture, education, and personal beliefs of each individual. Adhering to moral standards, a person will not allow himself to descend into the state of a wild animal, and will keep his instincts within certain limits accepted in a given society.

Mercy as a basic principle of morality

Mercy is understood as a person’s readiness to help people in need, to sympathize with them, perceiving their suffering as his own and wanting to alleviate their suffering. Many religions pay close attention to this moral principle, especially Buddhism and Christianity. In order for a person to be merciful, it is necessary that he does not divide people into “us” and “strangers”, so that he sees “his own” in everyone.

Currently, great emphasis is placed on the fact that a person should actively help those who need mercy, and it is important that he not only provides practical assistance, but is also ready to support morally.