The renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche argued that modern ethics often urge us to ignore our natural desires and instincts. They may advocate for humility, self-sacrifice, and unquestioning adherence to rules. However, Nietzsche believed that this prevents us from being true to ourselves and reaching our full potential. He argued that we should embrace who we are and strive to become the best versions of ourselves.
Jealousy, anger, and the willingness to harm others for personal pleasure reside within all of us. As the saying goes in Sanatan culture, "We all have Ravan inside us." Ravan, in this context, represents an evil force present within us all. It extends beyond being merely a person and encompasses a force that dwells within each of us.
Consider this scenario: you claim to be ethical and committed to not committing murder. However, this only holds true until someone holds your family hostage and demands that you kill someone. When the situation turns against you, you would abandon your ethics. This truth applies universally; there is no absolute good or bad, right or wrong, ethical or unethical, god or demon. Everything is balanced, existing in equilibrium. This balance defines the human experience.
Ethics and morality are contingent upon circumstances. As the parameters change, so does the definition of ethics and morality. The problem with predefined parameters is that we have been conditioned to believe they are constants, when in reality, they are variables. For instance, when a person is unemployed and hungry, they may resort to robbery for food. If the powerful and privileged can rob ordinary people's money, why is it considered right for them and wrong for someone who has no other option?
We are all bound by a social contract of ethics and morality. If one person breaks this contract, the impact will be felt by all. Everyone will face consequences, and the problem with today's world is that a chain reaction of corruption has been set in motion. We constantly try to justify our actions to satisfy our egos. We lie to ourselves, convincing ourselves that we are righteous and superior to others, or at least superior to some. Those who do not conform suffer even more. However, in the grand scheme of things, none of it truly matters.
The question arises: why should we adhere to these hollow perspectives and laws that prevent us from being true to ourselves, suffocating us from within? The answer lies in the concept of karma. Karma is cyclical and seemingly simple, but it is far more complex than we realize. Not everything that happens in our lives is solely due to karma. Destiny, or "niyati" as I prefer to call it, also plays a part. Some aspects of our lives are predetermined. If we accept that we are governed by universal laws, we must understand that they function like algorithms or programs. Just as certain parts of a program are fixed, we can assume that there are certain destined aspects or "niyati." As we provide input in programs, the results are based on that input. Similarly, our actions and karma serve as inputs, and the outcomes are the results of that karma. However, the universe's algorithm is immensely complex and surpasses our complete understanding. Nevertheless, we have grasped certain elements, forming the basis of our ethics and moralities, and as we delve deeper
, we find they originate from the most profound philosophies.
We have been told that honesty is the best policy, but why is that so? Why must we be honest, and why does this moral principle change when it becomes inconvenient for us? We can justify dishonesty in many situations, arguing that a lie told for a greater cause or someone's benefit is not truly a lie. However, we should be honest under all circumstances until the social contract is broken because what we give to the universe, we receive in return.
Today, I met my former teacher, who used to instruct me when I was in school. He shared a remarkable story that illustrated how his commitment to honesty led to great achievements and the gift of strong social support and positive returns. During his struggling days, he compensated one of his friends for the damage he caused to his phone, despite having limited financial resources and facing daily hardships. The friend and family of his friend were convinced that he would not repay the money and expected him to evade the responsibility. However, when he managed to fulfill his commitment, his friend and family were deeply impressed. This incident strengthened their bond and provided him with support during subsequent challenging phases.
The human experience revolves around serving the balance of the universe. Some individuals align with the negative side, while others embody the positive. We all strive to balance our lives, engaging in a constant struggle. Achieving perfect balance is impossible; it remains an ongoing pursuit because complete balance represents the next stage after the human experience, which we can only imagine. Some have attempted to answer this complex philosophical question with the hypothetical experiences of heaven and hell. However, these consequences are confined to our current existence, limited to what we are aware of. And for this reason alone, we must continue to follow our ethics and moralities.
