Forgotten Virtues? Are Our Core Human Values Falling By The Wayside?
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 7, 2021
- 5 min read
Written by: Merrill Isherwood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Let us start with the difference between values and virtues.
Pediaa.com states the main difference between a value and virtue is that values are principles or standards of behavior that help one decide what is important in life, whereas virtues are qualities that are universally accepted as good and desirable.
It is stated that all values may not be desirable or have moral goodness, whereas virtues always have high moral values. Values are personal as the individual can decide what is important to them, but virtues are universally accepted as having high moral values.
Researchgate.net defines them as follows:
Virtue is a - perceived - characteristic or feature of a person, value is an - abstract - standard of conviction and behaviour.
State of the World's People
Most adults are aware of the challenges being experienced by people around the globe. These include, but are certainly not limited to the following:
War or severe continuous conflict situation
Famine
Poverty
Disease
Natural disasters (root cause possibly through human behavior)
Man-made disasters
Drugs
Crime, including violent crimes such as murder
Human trafficking
Abuse – sexual, verbal, physical
Rape / sexual assault
Racism
Discrimination, and
Religious sectarianism
Degradation of Humanity
What is causing the degradation of humanity?
In many countries, through the years, there has been a consistent disintegration of societies' moral fiber.
We have seen a decline in the morals, principles, values and virtues of not just teens but society in general. Basic values such as respect, kindness, honesty, loyalty and accountability seem to be rare commodities nowadays. Tolerance and acceptance of others has declined and become fractious, and untenable.
What has caused this? Researchgate states the findings of Dalmacito Cordero Jr, (from the Department of Theology & Education at De la Salle University), wrote in the Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, published in January 2013, the paper titled 'Moral decline in teens: The Application of contextual theology'. His conclusion was that in today's modern world, the decline of morality among teenagers is very evident. Three main causes were mentioned in this study: mass media, peer pressure, and poor family involvement. Note this was written eight years ago already and we know there has been an even further decline since then
This study was prior the explosion of social media, which is sure to have had an impact due to the exposure it gives multi-millions of people, to information they would never have been able to so readily access prior 2004 with the introduction of Facebook. Social media provides many benefits to its users, allowing families, friends, and other individuals across the world to be able to connect with each other at reasonable costs or freely, enabling relationships not just next door, in the next own or city, but across continents. It is the use of such media platforms by the users themselves that create either a positive or negative environment.
Is There Light Ahead?
Yes. We must be positive that the current status quo can be turned around.
It will, however, take lots of work by each and every one of us to do a u - turn and reverse the damage, and this may be easier said than done.
Many youngsters do not have role models for teaching them right from wrong. Many homes are being run by teenagers who have lost their parent/s or caregiver/s and are caring for siblings whilst they, in turn, need care as well. This is a sad state of affairs, however it is the brutal reality of death, disease, crime or radicalisation.
Is it co-incidental there seems to be such a surge in life coaches globally? Is it coincidental there seems to have been a spiritual awakening in the past eighteen months, possibly due to the pandemic, and the realisation death can come quickly, unexpectedly and reach so extensively across the globe?
These well-meaning and people-centred individuals who are truly committed to enabling others, helping them to create a better future for themselves and others, are part of a greater movement that could change the bleak future we now see before us.
Mentorship
The concept of learner and mentorships is growing worldwide as elder, more experienced people, in both social communities and workplaces, are being groomed to share their knowledge, skills and wisdom with younger generations.
This development of others is an integral part of leaving our youngsters with insight way beyond their years. They must, however, be open to learning, be receptive to listening to, and hearing, what others are teaching them. Closed minds hear, see and learn nothing.
It is therefore up to the older generations, to enlighten others, create a sense of curiosity, a willingness to venture into new fields, to be adventurous and courageous in braving uncharted territories or waters. I am not referring got the geographical landscape here but the emotional one which encompasses all humankind.
If we are unable to draw on experiences, and are not creative or resilient enough to pursue new paths as we age, how then can we be role models for the children or youngsters who follow in our path?
Reviewing Lifestyles
Is it not time to revert to basics? Are the signs we are seeing not a wake-up call to change our lifestyles?
For those who follow religious tenets, is it not time to awaken souls that have not yet been introduced to the religious laws, no matter which laws or religion it may be? Whether Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, or others…..all speak to the need to treat others as our brothers and sisters, to respect each other, to understand each other's need for love and acceptance, noting that we are all children of a greater universe, power, or supreme being, no matter what name we may call upon in our time of need……
Values such as kindness, courtesy, honesty, integrity, caring, empathy, compassion, togetherness, humility – all of these, like a smile, are universally understood.
We all know how it feels when someone treats us through positive actions, compared to being dealt negative treatment such as cruelty, abuse, selfishness, condemnation, racism, aggression, brutality and violence.
Where people have grown up only knowing the latter, it is understandable to realise they cannot possibly know the former until it is shown to them and they feel love for the first time. Some may shun it at first, being cynical, unaccepting or suspicious of such behavior, but, in time they would begin to realise how different they feel when the care they receive from others is consistent and true.
Greed, lust, pride, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth, and power are destructive behaviors – (7 of these being the 'seven deadly sins ascertained by Roman Catholic theology), whereas the corresponding, opposite virtues are humility, charity, chastity, gratitude, temperance, patience, and diligence.
Pursuit of Justice & Love
Let us step forward by following these positive virtues so that the darkness can be replaced by the light, a light within each one of us that is so strong it cannot be snuffed out or dimmed by anything or anyone.
Stand firm in who you are. Stand firm in your principles and beliefs.
Be the rainbow after the storm for all humanity.
Merrill Isherwood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Merrill Isherwood is a life transformation coach who has spent much of her life being of service to others in the corporate world and her personal life. She has an exemplary work ethic and is driven by living a life of integrity, having honesty, kindness, trust, and respect as her core values. Her psychological counseling degree, supported by her accreditation in life coaching, allows her to ensure her clients are suitably supported in transforming their lives. She specializes in body image, lack of self-esteem, overcoming abusive or toxic relationships, finding life direction, forgiveness, and overcoming adversity. To her, a life well lived means making a difference in each person's life that you are fortunate enough to touch, even if only in the smallest way possible.
.jpg)