The Importance of Ethics and Morality

Prepared by: Reo Paolo M. Uri

With what has been said far, it is now clear why the study of ethics is very important to human life. Ethics is indeed an area of knowledge which is truly indispensable in the living of life which is "truly human." It can be said that "without moral perception, man is only an animal. without morality, man as a rational [and free] being is a failure" (Agapay 199:3).

The living of the "good life" has always been one of mankinds most noble and enduring pursuits since time immemorial. This is evident in the various works of literature, arts, in the humanities in general, most notably in philosophy, and above all, in theology or religious studies. The question of what kind of life should man ought to live as a free and rational being, has preoccupied some of the greatest minds in history.

In fact, the idea of right and wrong, good and evil, though viewed and applied differently at different times by different groups of people all through out the ages, has been a major and dominant theme of the various religions, cultures, and societies in the entire history of human civilization. Every era, regardless whether it is aware of it or not, has its own "ethics" that defines its character and soul. For ethics and morality served as the very foundation of every human society.

Thus, without ethics or at least a sense of morality, of what is right and wrong, good and bad in relation to their conduct and behavior, people and society in general would naturally and expectedly deteriorate, when the moral foundation of a nation is shaken, and at the brink of collapse, society itself, as its every core, is also  threatened as to its vary existence.

END..............