Values-driven life
A few days ago, the Church of Pentecost brought together distinguished members of society to share ideas and knowledge on how a strong ethical foundation and a moral vision could and should drive national development.
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In fact, I took, seriously, every opportunity that I had, to learn something from the conference, as I wasn’t there in person. I followed the discussions extensively, from newspaper reports, online, radio and television channels.
The conference was on the theme “Moral Vision and National Development”, and was under the chairmanship of Apostle Nyamekye, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost.
Apostle Nyamekye had three vital goals for the conference; dealing with the Church’s transformation agenda for the country, dwelling on Max Weber’s work on The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism and the underpinning ideas of why righteousness exalts a nation.
I have personally enjoyed reading and listening to the various presentations made at the conference because they hold strong promise for the socio-economic development of not only Ghana but every country committed to developing with a strong focus on the common good.
Also, information gleaned from the conference has reinforced my belief in the need for us all to be guided by strong moral principles in our dealings.
Of course, it is true that because of ethical blind spots there comes a time that even the person with strong moral principles sways from his/her moral compass.
That is the human side of us all, but when unethical conduct or bad behaviour is the norm in a society, then the trouble starts. Moral decadence!
In the past 10 years or so, I have written extensively on the topic of morality in this column. In the September 26, 2014 edition for example, which was on the topic, “Money and Morals”, I asked this question: “Why do people who pride themselves on being highly moral stray from their principles when money is in the offing?”
I have always had problems with how money and morals have brought problems to many. Many have fallen to weird temptations when the scent of money is at play. Now, let me revisit the poem by Chuang Tzu, which l also used in the referenced edition.
The invention
Of weights and measures
Makes robbery easier.
Signing contracts, and setting seals,
Makes robbery more sure.
Teaching love and duty
Provides a fitting language
With which to prove that robbery
Is really for the general good.
A poor man must swing
For stealing a belt buckle
But if a rich man steals a whole state
He is acclaimed
As statesman of the year.
This poem describes the ills of society with the invention of money. It is all possible to be unethical when the stock-in-trade is cash. There is a Yiddish proverb which seeks to explain how money-makes-all-things-beautiful!
This is it: With money in your pocket you are handsome and you sing beautifully too! A few “ugly” ones, I suppose, when they find the money can become “all nice” and assume the voice of an angel!
Please, it is never “okay” to make money “at-all-cost” as there are consequences when the wrong means are adopted. I explained this in detail in the May 14, 2022 edition.
And this was my opening paragraph in that edition: “In a world where everything seems to be reduced to commodity status, and thus has a price, it is not uncommon to find, in a fundamental sense, that we are all, with each of our actions, always and invariably profit-seeking entrepreneurs. And this is not difficult to deduce because all around us we find values replaced with value!”
The worrying part is that people get entrapped, when others are more greedy than them, conceal the true intentions of their actions and entice them with money, under the guise of some free lunch.
There is nothing like free lunch, at least from where l sit. You will, somehow, some day, pay for it. So, “Beware of Trojan horses”! In Greek mythology the wooden horse, Trojan, was designed to be deceptive. So the Trojan friend or business associate may appear attractive or trustworthy, but beware because it could be disguised profit-seeking in another way!
Profit-seeking, by fair or foul means, has led many to their early graves, or brought some untold hardships and disgrace to others.
For some, unconscious attitudes may have influenced them to act against their ethical values in their quest to make money, but for many others too, like Bernie Madoff, it was intentional unethical behaviour.
In the direct case of Madoff, his Ponzi scheme, which brought untold hardships on many, was riddled with serious breaches of moral codes.
Moral decadence is not good, and the Church of Pentecost says we must change course. So, if after all that you have read here, or from the conference you are still not convinced, then read below- slowly – how a prominent politician came down by making a wrong turn.
In July 2020, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Najib Razak, was found guilty of all seven charges levelled against him in a bond sale scandal of US$6.5bn that also involved Goldman Sachs, a reputed international company.
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The landmark conviction shook Malaysian politics, and led to the ousting of the Umno Party, Najib’s party, which had been in power for more than 60 years. Yes, lost values brought down the value of individuals and long-cherished institutions.
In fact, whenever we act, as proven by various authorities in the field of social science, we employ some physical means -things valued as goods.
So, in effect, to make profit is invariably the aim sought by most of our actions. But you must always remember that every action is threatened also with the possibility of a loss.
As long as the future is uncertain, or at best partially known, you are most likely to get exposed along the way, if you indulge in unethical acts. This makes every action a risky enterprise.
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I am aware that the true meaning of moral life is lost on many, but Mark Matousek’s book, “Ethical Wisdom: The Search for a Moral Life” gives some useful clues. Matousek argues that emotions are the bedrock of ethical life, as without them, human beings cannot be empathic, moral, or good. Good morals can help shape the world, and make it a better place for us all.
Yes, we may have the consideration for climate risks mitigation, sustainability measures, and the promotion of inclusive growth at all levels, but all of this must be underpinned by strong ethical considerations too; that which revolves around the nuggets of wisdom in collective good. This way, we will achieve the desired socio-economic development.
botabil@gmail.com