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Why we lack ethics and morality

Published : Thursday, 14 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 395
Sakibul Hasan
What do we mean by ethics and morality? How important are they in our society today? These are questions worth considering, especially in the context of the disturbing events happening in our country, where ethics and morals seem to have been broken.

Currently, one of the most talked-about incidents is the murder of Muntaha. Muntaha, a six-year-old girl, went missing in Kanaighat, Sylhet, and after seven days, the police discovered her frozen body buried in a canal last Saturday morning. The child, Muntaha Akhter, was the daughter of Shamim Ahmad from the village of Khararifoud in Sadar Union of Zerin Upazila.

It is reported that Muntaha was killed by her tutor, Shamima Begum Marzia, after the child's father, Shamim Ahmad, forbade Muntaha from attending her tutoring sessions. Shamima, along with her mother, Alifjan Bibi, and two other individuals, was arrested in connection with the crime and sent to court.

In another horrifying incident, the police recovered a woman's body without her head and hands from Dattapukur in Savar on November 11. The body was found inside the Setu Nursery in the Dattapara area of Savar's Birulia Union.

This barbaric incident involved the son killing his mother and storing her body in a deep freezer. In a dispute over money, Saad bin Azizur (19) strangled his mother, Umm Salma Khatun, to death in Dupchanchia, Bogra. The body was kept in the freezer, with the hands and feet bound by a veil, and the son staged a robbery to cover up the crime.

How do we explain such actions? The murder of a small child by her tutor, the killing of a mother by her son, or the gruesome act of cutting off a girl's head and hands and displaying the body-what can we say about this? Such acts clearly demonstrate the abandonment of ethical values and moral beliefs.

Ethics refers to a set of moral principles that guide people's behavior and decision-making, based on ideas of what is right, wrong, fair, and just. Morality, on the other hand, refers to the system of beliefs or principles concerning what is right and wrong, good and bad. These principles help individuals make ethical decisions and act appropriately, guided by values that are often influenced by culture, religion, and societal norms.

I firmly believe that ethics and morals are essential in Bangladesh because they create a framework that guides human behavior, ensuring order, cooperation, and trust. Ethics and morality promote fairness and equality, helping to prevent exploitation and inequality. When people feel they are treated fairly, they are more likely to respect societal rules and institutions. Clear ethical standards and moral guidelines help reduce conflicts, creating a society where individuals act with consideration for others, rather than out of pure self-interest. Without ethics and morals, society would face chaos, with everyone acting in their own interest, leading to a breakdown in social harmony.

Ethics and morals also help recognize the inherent value of people, preventing harm, stopping discrimination, and fostering compassion. By encouraging empathy and respect, they help create a more just and humane society, where individuals are more likely to cooperate and live harmoniously. In Bangladesh, where illegal activities and crime are sometimes rampant, ethics and morals play a vital role in curbing such behaviors and ensuring that the community functions smoothly.

Social pressure can also play a significant role in encouraging unethical behavior. Sometimes, people are pressured by authority figures or peer groups to act against their morals in order to avoid negative consequences. Social influence can make unethical behavior seem more acceptable or normalized in certain groups, further eroding moral standards.

Moreover, ethics and morality are essential for upholding justice and human rights. Many laws are based on moral values, ensuring society's sense of what is right and wrong. Ethical principles guide the creation of policies that protect human rights and promote justice, which is crucial for ensuring the well-being of all citizens. Ethics also encourages qualities such as honesty, fairness, and respect, which are vital for maintaining healthy relationships in society.

Despite their importance, we are witnessing a disturbing trend of people breaking ethical norms in our society. There are various factors that contribute to this decline in moral behavior. Stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges can impair judgment, leading people to make decisions they would not normally consider, including unethical ones. For example, financial stress might lead someone to deceive others or act dishonestly. 

People in positions of power may also misuse their authority, breaking ethical norms. Power can sometimes lead to a sense of entitlement, where individuals feel justified in acting against societal standards. In some cases, individuals may engage in unethical practices to gain power, wealth, or status, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of others. This is often seen in cases of exploitation, corruption, or crime.

In addition, the lack of consequences for unethical behavior can lead to more people acting without fear of punishment. When individuals believe that they will not face consequences for their actions, they are more likely to act in ways that are morally wrong. The absence of law enforcement or accountability encourages individuals to break norms without fear of being caught or punished.

Social pressure can also play a significant role in encouraging unethical behavior. Sometimes, people are pressured by authority figures or peer groups to act against their morals in order to avoid negative consequences. Social influence can make unethical behavior seem more acceptable or normalized in certain groups, further eroding moral standards.

Some people even rationalize unethical behavior, convincing themselves that what they are doing is not wrong or that "the end justifies the means." In situations where moral boundaries are unclear, individuals may bend or ignore them, allowing themselves to justify actions that they would otherwise consider wrong.

Understanding these motives is essential for creating systems and cultures that promote ethical behavior. This includes clear rules, accountability, support systems, and education on ethical decision-making. Without such measures, we may continue to witness horrifying events, such as a son killing his mother, a teacher killing a child, or a body being left without a head or hands.

We need to be more conscious of our ethics and morals, and the government must enforce stricter rules and punishments for those who break them. Only then can we hope to restore trust, respect, and justice in our society.

The writer is a Student, Department of Sociology, Dhaka College



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