The world is a very diverse place in which each culture establishes what is right and wrong to do.

Correctness is defined both by legal norms, which when broken imply crimes, and by moral norms, which can cause social rejection of those who do not obey them.

What is morality?

Morality is a concept that refers to the set of socially acceptable behaviours , which depend on the culture of each country and its religion. In contrast, ethics is the set of individual values that guide a person’s behaviour.

What is moral in one country may be frowned upon in another, so we must be aware of the cultural diversity on our planet and be careful not to behave offensively abroad.

Examples of morals

The morality of each culture offers a set of rules that define what is appropriate. Not necessarily that it is moral means that it is appropriate.

Below we present some moral maxims and examples of morally acceptable behaviour in most cultures.

1. Tell the truth

In most cultures, it is considered a fundamental maxim . Telling the truth implies being sincere and not lying, even though lying may be beneficial to us.

However, this maxim accepts certain types of lies, such as watching a chase between a victim and her attacker, knowing where the persecuted person is hiding and lying to the attacker to prevent him from finding her.

There are also other specific situations, instilled from childhood, that involve the obligation not to tell the truth, as would be the case of saying what one really thinks of someone with respect to their physicality or other aspects.

2. Generosity and Altruism

Sharing one’s own is considered morally and socially cooperative , especially if it is with the purpose of guaranteeing the good of others and the prosperity of the community.

3. Do not contradict what society commands

Every culture has a set of rules that make it work in a certain way and according to an elaborated ideology during hundreds of years of history.

Not following the norm, whether in behavior, thought, dress or other aspects, can be seen as an attack on a country’s own culture and traditions.

For example, in the most fundamentalist Islamic societies, where women are required to wear the veil, failure to do so would be considered immoral conduct, in addition to being punishable by law.

4. Respect for life

This moral maxim is typical of cultures with Christian influence . One must respect the physical integrity of oneself as well as that of others, considering murder and suicide the maximum exponent of the violation of this premise.

However, this maxim is somewhat controversial in some situations, such as in cases of abortions where the mother’s life is in danger if they are not performed, or in euthanasia, since it can be seen as immoral to allow a person to continue to suffer.

5. Treat others according to how you want to be treated

Basically it can be reduced to not doing to others what you don’t want done to yourself. We usually refer to this maxim as “the golden rule” .

In ancient Mesopotamia this premise was very clear, both on a moral and legal level, and basically many laws present in Hammurabi’s Code start from the idea of an eye for an eye, executing the penalties in the same way as the vandalism acts had been carried out.

6. Do not cheat

The quick and easy way may not be morally accepted . In western society the value of effort and perseverance is instilled, so that cheating is considered inappropriate behaviour.

When playing a sport or taking an exam, you should offer your best and behave in a respectful manner. Sacrifice and perseverance are values that are morally highly regarded.

7. Loyalty

Be firm to one’s own ideals and do not neglect the social group to which one belongs, such as family or group of friends . Abandoning ideals or not fulfilling them can be interpreted as hypocrisy and turning your back on those close to you is considered treason.

However, it can be seen as correct to abandon the group when it behaves immorally or carries out inappropriate behaviour.

8. Rejoice in the merits of others and do not be envious

A socially cooperative behaviour is to rejoice in what others have achieved , regardless of whether one has contributed to its achievement.

9. Living according to God’s will

For example, in Christian societies this premise is based on the Ten Commandments of God’s law , which indicate the way believers should live in order not to offend God and to thank them for their own existence.

Japanese morality: several examples

Japanese culture is a very complex society, both religiously and morally . Unlike in the West, in Japan actions are not perceived as good or bad, but must be done with respect for a series of duties and obligations.

It is curious how some behaviors that in our culture we would see as inappropriate, such as infidelity or substance abuse, in Japan are not seen as something negative and are even defended and perceived as something natural.

The Japanese code of conduct is based on three concepts, which are like gears working together to define good conduct in the land of the rising sun.

1. Giri

Japanese people consider that at birth they contract a series of debts towards their parents , such as the fact of receiving a name and being brought into the world. This idea is somewhat similar to the one in the West regarding the original Sin, however without the negative connotation.

2. On

Arises from interaction with other people, when they perform or receive favors or other altruistic behaviors . The idea of being in debt acquires a point that borders on exaggeration in Japan, becoming perceived as something that will never be fully satisfied and relationships are deeply influenced by it.

This idea is behind the fact that the Japanese thank each other several times.

3. Chu

It is a duty of a patriotic nature , which refers to the respect one should feel for Japan, its law and the emperor.

Today these three ideas are strongly present, but in feudal Japan they played a much more striking role. For example, if a samurai was insulted in public his giri was soiled and he was obliged to clean it up, exercising his revenge on the offender, usually in a duel.

However, if this situation occurred in the imperial palace, the chu had to be taken into account, since attacking another person there meant offending the emperor. That is why the solution to this situation would be the death of the offended, committing harakiri or honorable suicide.

Bibliographic references:

  • Aznar, Hugo (1999). Ethics and journalism. Codes, statutes and other self-regulation documents. Paidós.
  • Camps, V. (1990). Virtudes públicas, Madrid, Spain, Espasa Calpe.
  • Maliandi, Ricardo (2004). Ethics: concepts and problems.
  • Rachels, James (2007). Introduction to moral philosophy.
  • Zavadivker, Nicolás (2004). An unfounded ethic.