The moral qualities of a person form the basis of his moral principles. Morality is a reflection of generally accepted ideas about positive and negative actions, about such philosophical categories as good and evil, right and wrong. The moral position of an individual is his vision of ideal norms of behavior, a conscious choice of life values and methods of achieving them. In some cases, the categories: morality, morality and ethics act as synonyms.
Concept in psychology
Each individual has a list of rules and views for himself and tries to follow them. Taken together, this code creates moral character. All this affects choice, interaction in society, attitude towards others, towards nature, towards oneself. Morality is instilled in childhood. There are three development options:
- Deterrence based on fear. The child begins to understand the connection between punishment and misbehavior and eventually refrains from performing actions prohibited by parents or teachers.
- Showing empathy. This is the ability to imagine what another feels. This is how a person tries through his actions to shift the emotional state of people for the better.
- Improving the individual’s thinking at the stage of the formal approach. In this case, some experience is gained in testing assumptions, re-evaluating information and reformulating views.
In ethics, morality is a synonym for the word “morality”. But there are still differences between them. The latter refers to a set of norms and rules that have developed historically and apply to the entire society. Whereas the first definition is purely individual and everyone has their own set of foundations.
Courage
What have people always valued in each other? Courage. But why then is this quality not inherent in everyone today? Courage and cowardice go hand in hand. Even though people began to show off their lives, they became more cowardly. They are afraid not only of what they really need to be afraid of, but even of some trifles, like asking the seller in a supermarket where the desired product is. Why is this happening? Courage and cowardice are qualities that are developed in childhood. They are produced by the child independently. Parents can mentor their child, but they will not go to kindergarten or school instead. Therefore, the little man has to solve problems on his own, and sometimes this is not always possible. And if it doesn’t work out over and over again, the person becomes cowardly and is afraid to get into an argument or fight. Such a person cannot protect either his own or others’ interests. How do cowardly people live? Difficult.
Related concepts, landmarks and position
There are several related terms that cannot be ignored. For example, a spiritual and moral guideline is goals and taboos that shape behavior. A person sets boundaries for himself and tries not to go beyond them. They control the activities of the individual, contribute to the search for a place in society, and determine the degree of decency. After all, some cannot commit theft, treason or betray others due to their own attitudes.
The position implies that the person evaluates the rules of social life, passing them as if through an “internal” filter, in order to later use them as a guide. This includes:
- self-control of actions and actions;
- conscience;
- a sense of human dignity;
- behavioral incentives.
And finally, principles are the basis for building social and interpersonal relationships. They are universal and are regulated through censure or approval of activities by society.
Love to motherland
A person must respect the place in which he was born. It is clear that the saying: “where you were born and where you came in handy” is no longer relevant today. But still, patriotism is a feeling that should be embedded in a person’s soul. People who love their homeland will try to work for its benefit. Thanks to this, Russia will develop and grow rich. As a result, people will receive their dividends for love and work. Of course, you need to love wisely. In order for citizens not to be ashamed of the object of their adoration, he must be worthy of love. It is also possible to love something wretched out of compassion, but still such love is not worthy of respect. Patriotism must be present in a person’s soul, just like conscience or kindness. We must not forget about this, because children are the future of our country, and it is on them that adults place their hopes.
What are the moral qualities of a person: list
I’ll say right away that in addition to good ones, there are negative qualities: envy, anger, power, deceit. With a low degree of morality, such actions will sooner or later begin to seem acceptable, and maybe even preferable. To prevent this, you must, first of all, take care of yourself and your actions.
This list will help identify strengths or weaknesses and chart a course for self-improvement. But these are only the first steps towards an improved version of yourself. If you are determined to develop positive characteristics, then sign up for my consultation.
Responsibility
An individual must understand that his activity and even its absence leads to specific consequences. Alas, this trait is inherent mainly in mature individuals who are independent and have self-respect. After all, for those who are accustomed to others solving all their problems for them, it will be quite difficult to be responsible for their own actions.
Psychologist Daria Milai
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Responsibility depends on upbringing. A child, knowing about the rules and prohibitions, understands that if he breaks them, he will be punished. It is more difficult for adults to develop this property. To do this, you can come up with a fine for each offense. For example, doing something that you don’t really want, but is useful.
Humanism
This is a high moral quality, without which living in society would be much more difficult. This includes empathy and caring. But the difficulty is that it is practically impossible to cause these feelings on purpose, since they simply arise. It's also quite difficult to love everyone around you. But if you take a closer look at your surroundings, take an interest in their lives, observe them, love becomes justified.
Loyalty
This characteristic is at a great price today. Its manifestation is meant not only to the beloved, but also to oneself and one’s own promises. If an individual wants to be valued and respected, then he should keep his word. Otherwise, you need to warn about difficulties in advance so as not to spoil the relationship.
Discipline
This is an example of a person’s moral quality, when it is necessary to comply with all established social norms in order not to stumble upon sanctions from the state. But in psychology there is also the concept of a deviant personality. It applies when an individual fails to obey laws and behave decently.
Honesty
First of all, you need to be open to yourself. After all, living with rose-colored glasses in our time is fraught with bad consequences. But before you trust others, be very careful. It is worth making sure that you have a reliable shoulder in front of you. Otherwise, you will simply make it easier for him to find your weak points.
Hard work
Moral qualities are different. One of them is hard work. A person who does not shirk from work always has weight in the eyes of society. What kind of work should it be? It doesn't matter. Each individual must work to the best of his ability and ability. If he can earn money through intellectual work, then he should work as an engineer, programmer, etc. If a person has not received a special education, he can always get a job as a driver, dispatcher, builder, etc.
Fostering hard work should begin in childhood. Some parents protect their children. They do not force their children to work and argue that the child should have a normal childhood. But if you don’t teach children to work, they will grow up to be lazy. Teenagers from the age of 14 can already go to work. Moreover, this is often practiced in families with good incomes. In this way, parents teach their children to work. Hard work is a habit, and if it is not there, a person will have a very difficult time in life. In order not to be considered lazy, you need to work not only at your main job, but also at home. You should also help friends and relatives as needed.
Behavior
It can be called moral in the case when a person connects it with the existing system of views and values. All this results in a set of actions - actions that cause approval or condemnation in society. But if the situation requires activity, and the individual does not show it, this can also be called an act that has its own consequences.
The way a person behaves in society is regarded as the implementation of such principles as kindness, politeness, and justice. But at the same time, immoral behavior based on hatred and lies also stands out. It has a destructive effect, while positive manifestations, on the contrary, realize the aspirations of the individual and make him better in the eyes of others and himself.
Assessing a person’s moral qualities is not always objective. Not even criteria for such an assessment have been identified. But still, the analysis is divided into many factors. Among the main ones are:
- Motives. There are a huge number of them and they are ambiguous. After all, there are situations when the noblest aspirations lead to negative actions.
- Consequences. They should always be taken into account. Often an action is assessed from the point of view of social significance.
- Reality. The same act under different circumstances can become significant or condemnable.
- Means used to accomplish. From a moral point of view, achieving results by any means is not good. After all, this develops egoistic properties.
Moral behavior is determined by the moral beliefs of the individual, the degree of his cultural and general development. It establishes the individual’s future life, the opportunity to coexist in society and achieve a high position in it, and also creates his idea of good and evil, happiness.
On the one hand, this is a free choice, and on the other, a restriction through established requirements. Therefore, a person always tries to find a balance between two extremes: social boundaries and his own independence.
Modesty
In our age of the Internet, every person dreams of becoming famous. To do this, people try to flaunt their talents or their good looks. But why then are children still taught lessons in politeness in kindergarten? For the reason that a person must be well developed and be able to distinguish bad from good. Modesty is a character trait that makes a person mysterious. If a person does not put himself on display, it is more interesting to talk to him. People who try to show off look too unnatural. Modesty is decorative. She helps people succeed. This quality is especially relevant today. Thanks to modesty, a person can successfully stand out from his surroundings. For some reason, people who behave too openly and overly liberated are encouraged by our society. It is worth noting the simple truth that it is thanks to such individuals that people degrade faster and faster every year.
Types of norms: what are they?
Moral guidelines are similar to legal ones. They also shape the actions of people, but they are not recorded in writing, but are simply known to everyone.
Such values embody morality, because they determine the consciousness of an individual in various spheres, be it family, professional activity or interpersonal relationships. And if the state applies sanctions in the form of administrative or criminal liability for violation of the law, then failure to comply with moral principles is punishable by public condemnation and the emergence of internal negative emotions, which we call remorse.
If we talk about the types of norms, then imagine a scale with two opposite poles: plus and minus. These are encouraged and condemned actions that entail certain consequences.
The first includes the well-known requirements:
- give up your seat in transport to pregnant women, children and the elderly;
- greet and say goodbye;
- help those in need.
Each of these rules has its own antipode. It will become an unacceptable action in society. It is impossible to maintain a neutral position in the system, since even inaction will entail specific events. That is why an individual has to follow existing norms in order to live successfully in society.
Self-criticism
A politeness lesson in kindergarten and school should begin with teachers talking about criticism. It is rare for young children, but the older a person gets, the more often he encounters critical opinion. Few people know how to normally perceive a condemning opinion about themselves or about their work. But you need to keep in mind that everyone around you has the right to freedom of speech. For this reason, people can criticize everything they see. Every individual must become self-critical from childhood. For what? To learn to distinguish useful criticism from slander. Sometimes people around you don’t want to offend you or the subject of your work. They want to help and express their opinion, which may turn out to be competent. For this reason, it needs to be listened to and taken into account. And a negative statement that is not supported by any arguments should be learned to be ignored. And most importantly, you need to learn not to respond to slander and not to take revenge in return. Every person must understand a simple truth: it is impossible to fight human envy. An envious person is an unhappy person who needs compassion and love.
What indicates maturity
The degree of development depends on the socialization of the individual. That is, a person has learned a system of generally accepted values and follows it not out of fear of being punished, but thanks to a clear awareness of the correctness of his own behavior.
I will highlight 6 criteria:
- A broad sense of "I". It appears at an early age, is formed during the first 10 years and later begins to expand with the acquisition of experience and increasing social roles. An important factor is targeted activity.
- Showing concern for others. Expression of deep feelings for loved ones, the ability to love and make friends.
- Self-acceptance. A mature person has his own views and values and can convey them, taking into account the opinions of others.
- Perceiving reality, achieving goals. The individual is focused on a specific task, forgetting about pleasures and selfishness. This is associated with a sense of responsibility, which is the ideal of maturity.
- Self-objectification. An immature person can perform actions for show, without realizing that it looks unnatural. A more developed individual understands that there cannot be fake identities.
- Life philosophy. Having an idea of a single goal in life.
I will also note that socialization does not stop even among adults. It has no ending at all, but always pursues a specific goal, whether it is conscious or not. Therefore, the words “maturity” and “adulthood” are not synonymous.
The concept of relativism - what is it?
Speaking about moral and ethical qualities, it is worth touching on the topic of this philosophical movement. Its supporters are confident that the concepts of absolute good and evil do not exist. According to this theory, morality is not tied to universal rules. Every judgment is evaluative and relates to a specific subject, genes, era or culture.
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In this regard, the term is considered from two sides:
- the opinion of good and evil is conditional;
- social morality is also relative depending on the standards set.
A few words about the development of moral principles
How are moral values formed in children? There are 3 stages in the development of children's consciousness:
- Premoral (from 4 to 10 years). During this period, one’s own safety and benefit are prioritized. The child strives to avoid punishment and therefore acts in order to gain the approval of adults. Then comes the second stage, where children’s actions are aimed directly at reward.
- Conventional (from 10 to 13). There is an awareness of the established rules and value system. First, someone close to you is chosen as an authority. And the reluctance to upset him becomes the reason for observing these norms. The child then begins to understand the reason for the framework and uses it to assert his own rights.
- After 13 years. During this period, the teenager forms his own set of views by adjusting the social template. At the first stage, much attention is paid to the requirements that ensure peace of life. And on the second, an individual stable arch is created.
At this age, a person will already be able to pass judgment if the behavior of the masses seems to him to be far from justice.
The phenomenon of immorality
Processes in society occur cyclically. Therefore, there comes a time when morality experiences a decline. The reason for this may be the constant broadcast of the image of a successful person who does not take morality into account, who goes towards his dream, destroying all existing stereotypes along the way.
All this, of course, is served under the sauce of romance, which is so attractive to young people who are easily influenced. However, the younger generation for the most part cannot appreciate the scale of the consequences. After all, ignoring the requirements leads to anarchy, chaos and lawlessness.
An immoral society is a community where people are led by their own selfishness. They do not feel remorse when they harm others. All this leads to a global catastrophe. Historically established attitudes are being destroyed, the border between good and evil is blurring.
