Context:

• Are all efforts worth becoming a good human being, or a good civil servant? Particularly when war, violence, bombs, and missiles are guiding the world, where does goodness stand? How convinced are you about the values of goodness?

What is the concept of being good?

Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy that defines what is good for individuals and society.

• Lack of Universal Definition: There is no single, universally accepted definition of what it means to be good, as different cultures and individuals have different values and beliefs. However, there is a common thread running through the concept of goodness.
• Goodness according to some famous individuals:
  • As Vivekananda said, “Do good, be good.” The good of an individual is contained in the goodness of all.
  • As Steve Jobs had emphasized on connecting the dots. The welfare of the individual is inextricably connected with the welfare of all, i.e. the common good. Hence, it is right that the good of an individual is intimately related to the good of others. 
• How does being good lead to ethical action?
• •  Gradually, the right act of an individual will only lead to sustainable happiness. However, it is mutually fulfilling and results in a win-win situation with the other person. And this is how the good of an individual will conform and not conflict with the good of others. It is this principle which leads to ethical actions. .

Value Of Goodness

• Kindness and compassion: These Values involve being empathetic and caring towards others, putting their needs before our own, and being willing to help those who are less fortunate.
• Honesty and integrity: These Values involve being truthful and trustworthy, acting with integrity, and being willing to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
• Justice and fairness: These values are important for creating a society where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed. These qualities involve treating everyone with respect, regardless of their background or circumstances, and upholding the law fairly.
• Selflessness and benevolence: These are Values that involve putting the needs of others before our own. These qualities are often seen as the highest form of goodness, as they require us to sacrifice our own interests for the sake of others.
• Resilience and forgiveness are also important qualities for a good person. These qualities involve being able to cope with adversity, forgiving those who have wronged us, and learning from our mistakes.

Self-interest as a narrow view of Goodness:

• However, In the post-pandemic world, it is usually observed that one’s self-interest tends to take priority and sometimes seems to conflict with the good of others. 
• Thus, a person or a bureaucrat who has a narrow approach to being good succumbs to one’s narrow selfish interests (Corruption, Abuse of Power, etc,) harming the interest of others and in the longer run, even harming one’s interest as well.
• Effect of narrow interpretation: Pursuing one’s selfish interests and ignoring the good of others leads to exploitation, aggression, unhealthy competition in society, and finally leading to all sorts of corrupt practices, crime, and violence. 
• As Mahatma Gandhi said “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.’’ We all are witnessing the global crisis. And such a situation has never been conducive to anybody’s happiness in the long run.

We can only grow if others are also growing. Here are some examples of how people have demonstrated goodness in the world:

• Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. After his release, he became the first black president of South Africa and worked to heal the wounds of the country.
• Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in Calcutta, India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order that provided care for the dying, the homeless, and the orphaned.

Conclusion:

Being good is not always easy. If we strive to live by the principles of kindness, compassion, honesty, integrity, justice, fairness, selflessness, benevolence, resilience, and forgiveness, we can make a positive difference in the world and become the best versions of ourselves.

Source: Indian Express

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