Introduction
Morality is a principle that decides between what is good and bad in the society. However, persons in the society have different perspectives on the subject of morality. In most cases, people focus on doing their wrong things so long as they feel happy. The definition of what is good and what is bad also is left to the society as some wrongs in one society are wrights in another society. For example, legalization of marijuana in one state and ensuring that it remains illegal in another state. According to utilitarian Mill, every action taken by a person is meant to make the person happy in the long term even if the action might be wrong. The actions taken by the different people might be morally wrong but they fulfill their happiness. Arguments based on philosophers such as Mill creates the question on whether it is important for the people in the society to act morally only because it is advantageous for the society (Mill & Williams 34). There is a need to looks at the advantages of morality to the society and weigh them against the disadvantage (Ferrell, John Fraedrich, & Linda Ferrell 223).
The paper shall focus on the question of whether we should act morally because it is advantageous to the society. In the paper, the advantages and disadvantages of morality to the society shall be discussed deeply to provide a good argument on the positives and negatives of morality in the society.
Analysis
Morality and ethics are generally a way in which people in the society judge each other based on their actions. The society is composed of different characters which can be defined as irresponsible, criminal and dishonest. On the other hand as children grow up, they are educated about the basics of morality in the society such as, not to lie, cheat, steal among other virtues. Morals thus play an important role in the society in deciding since the basic standards and beliefs ensure that that there is peaceful co-existence. Morals have their own advantages and disadvantages in the society which create an understanding on whether acting morally right is of help to the people around.
Importance of morals to the society
Morals and ethics are used in all organizations and institutions that the people depend on such as hospitals, churches, among others. Without proper morals, such institutions would not act rationally and there would be discrimination and irresponsibility among employees and employers thus harming the people served in the long run. For example, if persons would feel that doctors are not morally upright, they would not feel comfortable visiting the hospitals which would result to deaths and suffering of the people. Morals in the society are thus advantageous as they help in enhancing a smooth run of the society through building trust and good relations
Morals influence the type of life that an individual would lead. In a person’s life, a person can decide to either become honest or fully dishonest about facts. Morals thus guide the choices that individuals take and their actions in the course of their lives. These choices could end up destroying their lives or making their lives better. For example, a person can decide to use a shortcut to wealth creation thus use unethical means of acquiring wealth which can be termed as illegal. Resultantly, the person can end up in jail or killed which depicts a destroyed life due to wrong morals. However, every person’s standards, beliefs, and personalities can be dictated by whether they decide on what is right or wrong in life.
Good morals also work on protecting small businesses and startups in the society. Individuals might have started small businesses or startups which might an urge to grow for the individuals to earn a return on their investment. However, without good morals there will be unfair competition in the market that would ensure that small businesses are kept out of the market thus their growth suppressed. As a result, the society will only develop based on the few wealthy people and ensure that the gap between the rich and the poor people in the society is increased. However, morality ensures that such behaviors are stopped and the people are provided with a free environment to develop their businesses. Rules and regulations governing the markets and businesses are all based on the moral standards of the societies looking at the needs of the people (Smith, Adam, and Hanley 112).
The society requires morality to benefit. There is always a need to grow the society to the advantage of every person. If a society is full or morally wrong people, there is likelihood for there to be increased cases of wrong doings such as crime and irresponsibility which harms the people. Additionally, the young children growing up require a morally upright society to understand their roles in the society. Morals are taught in schools and they are the main contributor to the education of students from their young age to the time when every child achieves full maturity. For example, if children go to schools they are not resultantly educated on the importance of the right morals, they are likely to use the easiest ways to pass their exams which include cheating. Cases of children cheating in exams from their young ages show that, when they grow up, they will become the morally wrong people in the society such as thieves and corrupt individuals.
Disadvantages of morals in the society
Morals are always good for the people. However, there are situations where morals end up becoming a hindrance towards development of businesses. A business might be judged wrongly due its profits. As a result, the society would look at the business in terms of its ethics and whether it has a right to earn more profits from the people. The business might collapse just because the moral standards that the society has set are too high and there is a need to pay for them when breached.
Many businesses have been affected by strong moral standards set by countries or regional trade blocs. For example, the Volkswagen emission cheating scandal saw the car manufacturer suffer billions of dollars in losses due to the scandal. The scandal was looked at as ethically and morally wrong for the company to cheat about facts of their emissions since the world is fighting global warming phenomena. However, if there were less stringent moral standards set by the countries on emissions released by the vehicles, the motor vehicle manufacturer would not have suffered losses even though the society would still suffer from the global warming effects (Coady, & Sampford 78).
Conclusion
I find that, it is important for persons to act morally wright because it is the overall advantage to the society. The society requires good morals to develop and create better conditions for the people to live. Additionally, good morals are also important and advantageous to individuals. Persons who are morally upright are most likely to succeed in their lives since they develop. The importance of morality to the society is thus higher than the disadvantages of morality to the same society. The paper has provided a strong understanding on the topic of morality and development in the society looking at the advantages and disadvantages of morality to the society.
- Mill, John Stuart, and Geraint Williams. “Utilitarianism; On Liberty; Considerations on Representative Government; Remarks on Bentham’s Philosophy.” (1993).
- Coady, C A. J, and C J. G. Sampford. Business, Ethics, and the Law. Leichhardt, NSW: Federation Press, 1993. Print.
- Smith, Adam, and Ryan P. Hanley. The Theory of Moral Sentiments. New York, N.Y: Penguin Books, 2009. Internet resource.
- Ferrell, O C, John Fraedrich, and Linda Ferrell. Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. Mason, OH: South-Western/Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.
