WHAT IS “MORAL”
Test of “Morality”
Ethical Musings
By
VIKRAM KARVE
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WHAT IS “MORAL”…?
This story happened around 45
years ago in the 1970’s.
It was quite late in the night.
Our ship was in harbour – and – I
was sitting in the Wardroom of my ship (a frontline warship – a frigate) – in a
relaxed mood – enjoying my favourite after-dinner liqueur “digestif” – Bénédictine
– while leisurely smoking my pipe – listening to some soothing music being
played on the gramophone – yes – those days we had “record players” which
played “records” – at 78 RPM, 45 RPM and 331⁄3 RPM or 33 RPM (Long Playing
Records).
Two of my shipmates entered the
wardroom – discussing something quite animatedly – and this disturbed my serene
“reverie”.
One of the shipmates had “broken
up” with his girlfriend (in today’s parlance – he had “dumped” his girlfriend).
He had “dumped” his girlfriend
because he wanted to marry the “back-home-type” girl his parents had chosen for
him.
The other shipmate was
reprimanding him for being a “coward”.
I looked at the shipmate who had
“dumped” his girlfriend and asked him: “Tell me – how are you feeling after
“dumping” your girlfriend…? Are you feeling good – or – are you feeling bad…?”
“I am feeling good…” he said, “In
fact – I am feeling really relieved – yes – I am feeling good after “breaking
up” with her…”
“If you are feeling good – then –
what you have done is “moral”…” I said.
“What do you mean…?” the other
shipmate said, “he had a “good time” with her and then he “dumped” her. How can
you say that what he has done is “moral”…?”
“Well – you may do something that
seems “immoral” in the eyes of the world – but – if you feel good after doing
it – then for you – it is “moral”…” I said, “since he feels good after
“dumping” his girlfriend – for him – it is “moral” – even if you may think
otherwise…”
“Your theory on “morality” is all
bullshit…” he said.
“It is not my theory…” I said,
“it is a quote by Ernest Hemingway: “What is moral is what you feel good
after – and what is immoral is what you feel bad after…”
______
QUOTE ON MORALITY
“So far, about morals, I know
only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what
you feel bad after.”
― Ernest Hemingway, Death in the
Afternoon
(This quote about morality is
from Chapter 1 of the book “Death in the Afternoon” by Ernest Hemingway. Death
in the Afternoon, originally published in 1932, is a non-fiction book by Ernest
Hemingway about the ceremony and traditions of Spanish Bullfighting. The book
delves into the grandeur of bullfighting and contemplates on the nature of fear
and courage)
______
CONCLUSION
Sometimes you do something – and
– you wonder if what you did was “moral”.
Like me – you too must have
received many “sermons” and read many “pontifications” on the subject of
“morality” – but – the above quote about “morals” by Nobel Laureate Ernest
Hemingway is my favourite definition of “what is moral” – and – I found it in
literature.
(in fact – I have learnt most of
my philosophy of life via literature).
Morality is not always absolute –
moral issues often differ along cultural lines – and – from person to person –
and also from situation to situation.
In a nutshell – if you feel good
after doing something – for you – it is “moral” – even if it may seem otherwise
in the eyes of other people.
Conversely – if you feel bad
after doing something – for you – it is “immoral” – even if other people think
otherwise.
In my opinion – this is the
“test” of “morality”.
_____
Dear Reader – do you agree…?
Please comment at tell us your views.
_____
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