Humanity of Morality

Morality, in its contemporary meaning, is described as the ideologies that provide distinction to action, decision, or intentions of an individual to be determined whether right or wrong (Jones, 2019). However, as subjective as it is, morality could be illustrated in many other ways as reflected in the works of Shakespeare (Hamlet), Condorcet (Sketch for a Historical Picture), Descartes (Discourse on Method), and Machiavelli (The Prince).

Morality, as described in the works of the aforementioned political philosophy identities, are different from the customary connotation of morality. Clearly, morality is illustrated and intended to appreciate rightful acts that are equitable and just and avoid evil by implying standards as to what is right and what is wrong (Ali, 2015). First, Machiavelli, in his work The Prince, portrayed morality as a mere act to be shown to other people, but not necessarily live by its philosophies (Tay, 2012). Morality could be taken in pretense, use it to sugarcoat one’s true moralities, in order to exploit it for thy own advantage.

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, on the other hand, morality was described in the perspectives of suicide, anger, and revenge, where Hamlet, the lead character in the piece, want to kill Claudius as revenge (Shakespeare, 1992). He was influenced by his religious morals and would like to take revenge when Claudius is not doing something good, for instance, while in the chapel where killing him will pave Claudius’ way into heaven. Relatively, he would like to murder Claudius while he is carrying out something evil so Claudius would go to hell which Hamlet thinks he deserves (Tiffany, 2005). Therefore, morality was illustrated in Hamlet as the actions performed, whether religiously or societally acceptable or not, to something that is done based on what the individual deserves.

In Condorcet’s literature, Sketch for a Historical Picture, morality was redefined in a way that morality is not founded on the good and rightful deeds of a man, rather, in the way an individual is being treated (Hewett, 2008). Condorcet stated that the morality of an individual could be boosted in instances where progress and improvement are experienced; accordingly, the progress of man could be influenced by the environment. Nevertheless, there will be morality if an individual could freely practice and articulate his human rights, whereby it is recognized by the environment and not anymore ignored and exploited. Furthermore, morality is something that should be instilled to men through the teaching of pride and self-importance, where his principles and actions should not be based on the beliefs of others, rather based on his own reasons.

Lastly, morality was illustrated in Descartes’ Discourse on Method as somehow concurring the societal definition of morality. Descartes has enlisted a conditional moral code that an individual should practice in order to exercise morality. It includes the obeyance of rules and customaries of his religion and should never take an extreme opinion; to be critical with own decisions, where even though uncertainties and reservations are existing, one should stick with his or her own choices; one should try to change him or her own self, but not the world; attempt to explore all the professions existing and attempt to figure out the best one.

Also, these kinds of literature vary in what they claim as the source of morality. Ideally, morality is rooted in the teachings of religious and cultural maxims; however, it is different in these writings. In Machiavelli’s The Prince, the source of morality was identified to be the realization, maintenance, or development of political power (Dietz, 1986). That is to say that instead of correlating morality to extra-political bases such as religion and culture, The Prince has established its own ideas and description of morality.

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, morality was deep-rooted in the considerations of religious and moral beliefs, but with the influence of hate and anger. Although one could feel moral guilt after carrying out an act that is not customary to the ethical standards of the society and culture, Hamlet based one act as something that is morally-acceptable as long as that person inflicted with the act deserves it.

In Condorcet’s Sketch for a Historical Picture, the source of morality identified was the birthrights of a man. Furthermore, these natural human rights should be practiced in liberty and are absolute.it is founded in the hopes that the oppression of human rights freedom is ceased, including the national and societal predispositions, the intolerance of the church, and even the power and influence of the government (The History Guide, 2001).

While in Descartes’ Discourse on Method, morality was founded in the ability of a man to think. Descartes’ has stated that there is the existence of God and the soul, where dreams also exist and thereby making some senses subject to being undependable. However, one should be able to recognize his own existence, as well as his own process of thinking, in order to exist.

On the other hand, the drive and purpose of morality, according to the literature The Prince, is the personal advantages of morality, which is to obtain political power or sustain and advance such (Lord, 1997). In essence, the viewpoint of the Prince with regards to the purpose or function of morality is not necessarily to do good based on what society defines what is good and proper; rather, morality is driven by the perspective to enhance one’s own political agenda, regardless of the intention or integrity of the action (Ramsay, 2002).

The main drive of morality in Shakespeare’s Hamlet was anger, and revenge as the sole purpose. Hamlet used that anger to plan his revenge. He wanted to retaliate by murdering the person; however, Hamlet could not carry out his plans when that person is doing something good, rather should execute it when he is doing otherwise evil.

In Condorcet’s Sketch for a Historical Picture, the primary purpose of morality was linked to the freedom of the natural rights of a man from exploitation, disregard, and prejudice (Hewett, 2008). Condorcet stated that humans should thrive to work towards refining the present human condition through a removal of the authorities and superstitions of the ancient.

While in Descartes’s Discourse on Method, morality was exemplified to function aa the main drive of human existence. An individual is considered to exercise morality through thinking, and by thinking is where the individual exist.

Basically, the way these works of literature embody morality influences how individuals accept or reject the traditional views and interpretations of morality. The Prince by Machiavelli denotes that the intention of political power should be the chief foundation of how moral an act is, and not purely the guidelines in the religious and societal standards of morality (Plamenatz, 1963). Shakespeare’s Hamlet, on the other hand, justifies one act as something that is morally acceptable when the person affected deserves the action, for instance, murder when that person deserved to be murdered.

The Sketch for a Historical Picture by Condorcet has influenced the way traditional views of morality is rejected since the past authorities and superstitions hinder the progress of a man (Hewett, 2008). Furthermore, since morality is based on the optimistic progression of a man towards liberty and free exercise of birthrights, Condorcet stated that it is necessary to let go of the previous superstitions regarding the values of morality (The History Guide, 2001).

Finally, Descartes's Discourse on Method gave the impression that God is existing, and therefore, the customaries of one’s own religion should be followed. However, there are some reservations where one’s own thinking should be given importance, as well as one,  should be able to make his or her own decisions critically and live by it.

In conclusion, morality is a subjective standpoint. One could define his morality as something based on his own political and personal advantages, while some put morality to be based on the satisfaction and respect of one’s natural rights.