Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Philosophy What Is Morality What Is Morality Philosophers around the world have debated the meaning of morality for centuries. However, it is a word too subjective to be either denoted or defined. Aristotle, often referred to as the father of philosophy, advised that one could determine what is moral by examining the mean between two “less desirable” extremes. For example, courage is a mean between fear and thoughtless rashness; generosity, between extravagance and parsimony. Plato argued that “to know the good is to do the good.” In other words, those who behave immorally due so out of mere ignorance, not defiance. Furthermore, Plato believed that a moral person is a truly happy person; and because people always desire their own happiness, they always desire to do that which is moral. While both theories of morality are appealing and rather convincing, neither attempts to define exactly what it is. Morality is synonymous to many words: decency, goodness, integrity, honor, and virtue. Yet all of these words are just as intangible as morality itself; consequently, they are insufficient in attempting to define it. I believe that there is no accurate way to delineate what is moral and what is not. Beliefs vary from person to person, yet is one person always less moral than the other simply because his or her beliefs differ? In my opinion, morality is what one believes to be most honorable and true for oneself. In other words, morality is best defined as the beliefs or values an individual holds to be honorable based upon his or her environment, upbringing, and religiosity. One’s environment is a great influence in determining one’s morals. Under a “monkey-see-monkey-do” mode of reasoning, many people form their basis of what is right and wrong based upon the actions and opinions of others. Our society creates laws that we are supposed to follow in order to be “good.” If we are “bad,” or immoral, society punishes us; conversely, if we are “good,” society rewards us. This reward system trains us to believe that what is legal is moral. Although a person may be a law-abiding citizen, he or she may not necessarily be moral. The morality of an individual is also based on his or her childhood. Parents have an immense effect on their children’s values. For instance, if parents teach their child at early ages to be a hard-worker, to be honest and true, and to have integrity, then it is likely that the child will grow up with these morals instilled within them. However, some children grow to be the antithesis of their parents. They see that their parents are immoral and so they intentionally grow to think and behave differently. If so, is the child immoral for defying his or her parents, or is the child moral for defying his or her immoral parents? Another factor in determining one’s morals is one’s religiosity. For instance, some religions, such as Hinduism, believe in animal sacrifices as a way of worshiping; however, other religions, such as Catholicism, do not. Thus, to a Catholic, the sacrifice of innocent animals may seem immoral whereas followers of the Hindu religion view the practice as sacred. Therefore, one cannot conclude that simply because a person is religious, he or she is also moral. There are thousands of religions throughout the world; who has the authority to determine whose religion is moral and whose is immoral? Morality is not law. It cannot be standardized in such a way that all will agree with or abide by. Consequently, a peaceful environment, proper upbringing, and principled religion do not guarantee morality because all of these components are subjective. In other words, a definition of morality cannot be made for society; the definition of morality lies within oneself, but is affected by these subjective components. Morality is perhaps the most abstract and debatable concept. To best understand the essence of morality, one must not look at one’s neighbors but rather at oneself to determine what is just. Yet in the long run, the real question is whether or not what we hold to be moral is, in fact, moral. Bibliography: “Diana, Princess of Wales Tribute” . (January 22, 2002). Downie, Leonard Jr. “Britain Celebrates, Charles Takes a Bride.” Washington Post, 30 July 1981, A01. Issaacs, Dr. Alan, Martin, Elizabeth, eds. The Grolier Library of Women’s Biographies 3. Connecticut: Grolier Educational, 1998. Levin, Eric, eds. Commemorative Edition People Weekly: The Diana Years. New York: People Weekly Books, 1997. “Princess Diana as a Child” . (January 22, 2002). “Princess Diana in Public.”. (January 22, 2002). Veronique and Florence. “Princess Diana Memorial Webring” . (January 22, 2002). Word Count: 684
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