A 6 or a 9: How ethics and morality changes our perception

Our day never completes if we do not see two individuals or group of individuals debating and discussing on any topic: be it life, politics, relationship and what not. The art of discussing is the core of human nature. This attribute makes us what we are: a social animal. But often we find people have contradictory opinions related to one particular topic. As always, we have a for, and an against. It might look obvious, but why is it that the same situation has a different interpretation?

We human beings live in a society. Sociologists define a society as a group of a large number of people who are able to sustain themselves on their own and are bonded by a shared culture. What is interesting to note is that this definition of a society is universally accepted everywhere, but the only difference which rises is our different cultures. Every society is governed by some set of rules, norms, ethos, and values, which forms the nucleus of our day to day lives. Our upbringing in a particular manner shapes our approach towards any situation. For example, in Western Society, marriage is a social contract in which two people come together to fulfil their obligations in respect of each other. The contract can come to an end at their will in form of divorce. But on the contrary in Indian Society, marriage is the most pious institutions of a person's life. Of the four ashram of a human life, the marriage is the second ashram. At the time of phere, it is said that the husband and wife become the holy representation of  Lord Vishnu and Lord Laxmi. There is no social contract and it is believed that the couple will stay together for the next seven lives. The point to be noted is that the same institution is seen in different ways in different regions.

Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. He was very infamous during his time because of his writings about the psychology of human being. He was criticised for his writings about the physical relationship between a man and a woman. In one of his work, he wrote that it is possible that a man and a woman, irrespective of their relation, can have a physical relationship with each other. This article drew severe criticism. People argued that Sigmund had undermined the sacred relationship of a father and a daughter, a brother and a sister and a mother and a son. But after his death, it was proved that what he wrote was all correct. Then why did people criticized him? Here comes the role of moral and ethical values. In our culture, we are taught from the very beginning that a mother, a sister, and every other girl is to be adored. This develops our mind in such a way that we break the barrier of a man-women concept and builds relationships on all new set of values. With regard to the Hindu culture, we pray women as god and adore them as a source of knowledge, wealth and power.

Similarly, there was a huge ruckus about cow vigilant and cow slaughtering. One section of people was saying that cow protection must have adhered and another section was terming it as the infringement of the right to eat. But if the cow is just like any other animal, then why do we tend to protect it? Once again the onus of explanation lies on values. The Hindu texts and scriptures have given the cow the status of that of a god. The cow is referred to as Gau Mata, which means mother cow. This holy animal is associated with one of the most beloved deities of Hindus- Lord Krishna. From the time an immemorial cow has been an integral part of the family of Indians. A specific name was given to the cow and it was treated just like any other animal. Since all the people used to drink cow's milk, it was given the title of mother. Hindu religion also says that a single cow holds into itself al the 33 crore deities of Hindu religion. Given so many facts, it is evident that Hindus do have a special feeling for mother cow and thus it is hard to tolerate any kind of injustice done to the holy animal. Other religions do not have such a relationship with the animals and they find it difficult to connect with indo-centric cultures. But the western world at the same time protests against the Dog Meat festival in China, whereas it does not draws criticism from India. The simple reason is the bond with the animal.

Thus there is nothing white and black as such. There is always a grey part and it depends on people to people which shade of grey they adhere to.