Hey all,
       Today I participated in a debate. The topic was “Modernization
is leading to the decline of moral values…” The topic, a philosophical one, matched the theme of this blog, and I thought I would publish it here. I spoke AGAINST the motion…

       P.S: I got the the best debator against the motion award

       So, here is the award winning speech…

“Modernization is
leading to the decline of moral values…”
 

Luke 12 : 57 Jesus
said, “Why do you not judge for yourself, what is right”.

Resp. judges,
teachers, opponents, associates, ladies and gentlemen. A very good morning to
one and all. I stand before you, on this very fine morning, to speak against
the motion, that modernization is leading to a decline in moral values.

Let me start off by
saying what are moral values. Moral values are those set of unwritten rules
which a society thinks is right. Very many people say that moral values have
declined over the years, due to modernization. The fact is, like every other
factor in nature, moral values haven’t declined, but is undergoing constant
change.

Morality based on
the Bible deals with honesty, and integrity. “Moral standards have been lost
through greed”, remarked an ex-German chancellor. The truth is, greed has been
present right from the time Judas betrayed Jesus. And this same greed is
referred to as the cause for declining moral values today. Thus we see that
greed is not a cause for decline of moral values.
 
In different
aspects of our day to day life, we can clearly see that moral values have not
been lost. Lets take, for example, right here – the school. Education . Means
of education has shifted from the Gurukul system to the schools we see today.
Teachers have changed from enlightened saints to knowledge based lecturers. But
we don’t see an outright decline in the standard of education. In fact, Indian
students are more competitive and knowledgeable that many other international
students. The teacher-student relationship has changed from strict enforced
beliefs to friendly, compassionate teaching, with proper understanding of a student.
This is definitely something positive leading to better quality in education,
and thereby showing off the possible increase in moral values.

In terms of science
and technology, we see that modernization has lead to sustainable research,
taking into consideration the adverse effects of any invention, to mankind, and
the environment. Contrary to this, earlier on, little emphasis was given to
sustenance of mankind, or the adverse long time effects. The focus then was
mostly on economy.  Thus modernization
has brought about a positive change in moral values considering technology.

Also considering
the recent trends of Information Technology, and its advancements, we see that
IT focuses mainly in improving humanely comforts. Can’t you imagine the
happiness of a grandfather when he video-chats with his grandchildren, who are
abroad due to some reason? It is, therefore, another emphasis on the growing,
and not declining, rate of moral values.

If compassion, and
care, are bases for morality, then yet again, moral values have not declined. We
see social work, and people volunteering to do social work, all around us. Look
at Mata Amritanandamayi! Look at Sai Baba! Look at the hundreds and thousands
of NGOs helping out the poor and needy! We see renowned people taking in
orphans, and setting an example for all childless parents to take. Yes, I’m
talking about the pop star Madonna adopting an African orphan, whose both
parents died due to AIDS! I believe, from what I see around me, that our
present world is a much more caring, and compassionate one from the world a few
decades ago!

A few of my
opponents brought up the point of the increasing number of old age homes. In
fact, this is another way of showing that people care. Parents are not pushed
out of their homes and forced into old age homes like we see in films or soap
operas! There are parents out there who have lost their children, or don’t have
children, or who have children in far off places, where they’re forced to go to
support the family! For these people, old age homes are boons, and there are
people to make such old age homes!

In close relation
with care, we see that Human Rights are gaining a good upper hand in our
present world. All over the world, laws are being made, and realized, for Human
Rights, and also protection of an individual. For example, look at the
Reservations! Consider the women empowerment programme. If a misdeed was done
50 years ago, a person had no other go, but to sit and cry. Today, he can
approach a court, or any other legal agency!

Another point I
would like to make is about the news-media prevalent today. We see an ever
increasing rise of news sources, trying to deliver the most accurate news to
the eager people. The indication that people want to know more, is an
indication of the increase in moral values…

Thus ladies and
gentlemen, I make no rash promises when I say, that moral values HAVE NOT
DECLINED due to modernization, and nor will it decline in the near future. Man
cannot survive without modernization. And ancient moral values cannot survive
without edits of modernization. Thus saying, I end my views, Thank you

Property of Neo Garfield (aka
Mohan K.Pillai) Content is strictly copyrighted and not to be used without
prior permission and credits

       So? Hows it ladies and gentlemen? I hope you enjoyed it… I’ll post a few For The Motion views on the same topic soon… Meanwhile, what do you think?

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