Μoral recovery

by Constantine Michael*

The modern economic crisis has led to a profound crisis. Man now puts money as the focus of his life, and all he values on this basis. Knowledge is dealt with benevolently, while essential media and culture, such as music, are used for enrichment. Thus, the Greek man loses his humanity and becomes suspicious of his religious and political leaders. Of course, this crisis affects young people, who aim at every means in their professional career, while at the same time adopting indifference and self-interest. That is why it is necessary to strengthen the education of young people, which will help to overcome the economic as well as the value crisis.

Today's knowledge is primarily a passport for professional rehabilitation, rather than as an end in itself. This is true if learning either within the school or as an individual's case is considered utilitarian as a key resource to ensure a lucrative profession and a successful presence in the professional arena. However, man moves away from the essence of knowledge, which is of value in itself, as it enables him to broaden his horizons, to be rid of passions and internal commitments, to perceive the value of human life, and to achieve balance and harmony with both the outside and the inner world.

Causes

The crisis of the institutions (family, school) and the absence of healthy standards lead to a lack of effective education and lack of self-control. The projected patterns and ephemeral values they represent (money, publicity) exhaust and tend to confuse young people. This consumerism leads to amoralism and indifference. Money comes to a supreme value, while men lose the sense of moderation and any moral integrity they may once had.

Moreover, the crisis of the institution of democracy, as is manifested via the corruption of politicians, the domination of cronyism and the violation of laws only magnify the problem of ethical deterioration. What we once held sacred as people who respected antiquity and their history, has now be reduced in material for elementary school classes.

In addition, economic hardships and intense problems of survival lead the modern man to narcissism, egoism and apathy in the face of the suffering of another individual, while severe economic and social inequalities threaten the stability of interpersonal relations and social normality. Countless times have I come across people scorning or completely disregarding poor, beggars, and refugees. The multi-ethnic groups of the big cities "plunge the person into anonymity", reducing social control and blinding the sense of responsibility towards the holistic social responsibilities.

Finally, globalization coupled with unpredictable mummification erodes the traditional values of each country, which are sacrificed in the altar of adopting new, foreign values deriving from bigger nations. Thus, cultural identity and uniqueness head straight to annihilation.

Ways Out

The moral integrity of an individual’s personality will obstruct the submission to instincts, will reinforce control of consciousness, and prevent reprehensible acts. In fact, man needs to get closer to himself and his fellow man and moral values to take the lead over materialization. We must emphasize "being" and not "have" or "appear". We need to engage in the problems of humans and try to improve interpersonal relationships. People should not be used as a means for some purpose, but that the common good is the ultimate goal.

In this direction, social institutions should also work and nurture young people with principles that will enable them to act as real people. The acquisition of social consciousness is necessary in order to stop individualism from fueling behavior contrary to the collective interest - we must be active citizens with reflections on social and political events, not oblivious to what is happening at a national and global level. Through the anthropocentric shift of culture with  as its primary concerns poverty and the preservation of human rights, will allow the recovery and subordination of social and political activities for a supreme purpose: moral recovery.

*economist