Morality
Morality is the rules set from outside by a society for right behaviour. Unlike the inner ethics, morality is dependent on time and culture: what counts as moral looks very different at different times and in different cultures. At the Kyborg Institute we regard morality soberly – as a useful outer frame, but not as the essential thing.
What is morality?
In „Die Ethik des Neuen Menschen” D. Harald Alke describes morality as the application of inner regularities to practical life in society. While ethics remains the same at its core, the morality valid in each case can turn out very differently – according to time, culture and conditions of life. Frequently moral rules are written down as laws.
The word comes from the Latin mos / mores – “custom”, “usage”. Interesting: “ethics” too originally means “custom”. We fix the difference by the direction: morality is set from outside, ethics grows from within.
Morality and ethics – not the same
Morality and ethics can coincide – but need not. Harald Alke points out that some self-evident matters of the “valid morality” have little to do with an inner ethics. Morality is thus no reliable standard on its own; it needs the inner attitude as a corrective.
When morality becomes a duty
Morality can rigidify. When outdated rules are upheld or enforced with pressure, they become obstacles rather than support. Laozi already said:
“The more the ethical order is lost, the more ordinances and laws are needed.”
Under fear, lack and repression, morality falls apart especially quickly. From this we draw a clear line: values such as loving-kindness cannot be compelled – a selflessness that is imposed as a collective duty is not a genuine one. Only what comes voluntarily from an inner attitude is durable.
What does that mean in practice?
- Morality is an outer frame – useful, but changeable and not the essential thing.
- The standard is the inner ethics, not the mere rule.
- Genuine values arise voluntarily, never through pressure, guilt or fear.
Frequently asked questions
What is morality – simply explained?
Morality is the rules that a society sets up for right behaviour. They depend on time and culture and change – what counted as moral yesterday can be seen differently today.
What is the difference between morality and ethics?
Morality comes from outside: societal rules, often written down in laws. Ethics comes from within: a freely chosen, constant attitude. Morality can even deviate from the inner ethics.
Can morality be decreed?
Rules can be decreed – genuine values cannot. Under pressure and fear, morality easily falls apart. Only what comes from an inner attitude (ethics) and is lived voluntarily is durable.
Change history · last updated on
- — First English version.
Sources
- D. Harald Alke: Die Ethik des Neuen Menschen. Ethik, Moral, Glaube und Verantwortung. Kyborg Institut & Verlag, 1993 (4. Auflage 2016).
- Tobias O. R. Alke: Ausgewählte Perspektiven des Altruismus. Kyborg Institut & Verlag, 2017. ISBN 978-3-96104-027-8.
Autoren: D. Harald Alke, Tobias O. R. Alke