What is Right?

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The way we humans decide what is right and what is wrong will always depend on what the majority of the population thinks. Always.

Let’s take an example. Around the 15th century in Europe, a type of medicine was extremely prevalent: corpse medicine. It was widely believed that consuming parts of the human body (think powdered skulls) could cure things like ailments and pains. It wasn’t just believed either; it was socially acceptable. Right now, anybody you ask would be disgusted by it, “How could they even think of doing that?”

Because throughout history we can see that ideas and morals have evolved. Not improved. Evolved. Why do I say that?

Instead of the past, let’s jump to the future. With veganism spreading farther and wider, it is safe to assume that maybe in 50–100 years, maybe even in our lifetimes, it won’t be “right” to eat, let’s say, chicken. You can’t kill one, you can’t eat one. Those people in the future will look at their history books and think that we were morally wrong, the same way we look back at corpse medicine. Does it mean we are wrong? No. In our time, a majority of people believe that chickens provide good protein, taste amazing, whatever. Right now, 99% of the people you ask will say that yes, it is wrong to consume human remains. Does it mean that the 15th century Europeans were wrong? No. A majority of the people in their time thought it was acceptable to treat illness using skulls, so they were, in a way, right.

Another example is dowry in India. Even 40 years ago it was prevalent and was a major reason for harassment and humiliation of women and their families. Back then, it was still practiced widely, and in many places, socially expected. Today, the majority sees it as deeply problematic, even criminal. Has morality improved? Or has it just changed with the tide of time and awareness?

So why did I say that ideas and morals have not improved? Because our set of morals and ideas are just another era in this perpetual spiral of beliefs. Saying that we are the only ones who are correct is an arrogant way to live, don’t you think?

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