Is a culture of guilt conducive to true morality?

Question

A lot of good answers, I can't decide.

Answer 1

Guilt's only redeeming quality (pardon the pun), is if it is legitimate and felt by the offender, and it leads to a change of heart.

Guilt put upon us by others is only conducive to morality if they are really convicting us of wrong-doing, they approach us in a way that assures us that they love and accept us, and if we receive it and act upon it.

I have had occasion to tell someone I thought they were behaving in a way dangerous to themselves or others. I can tell you it was one of the most humbling things I have ever done.

There's a big difference in needing others to feel guilty and lesser because it makes me feel better, and going to someone I love and telling them my fears for them, even though I know they may experience guilt and pain. My goal is for them to be healthy in the long term.

I think that's different than what you are talking about. Some people use guilt as a means of controlling others. And that never works long term. Either people will rebel and leave, or they will be covert in their actions. Either way, they may internalize a guilt they cannot overcome without serious counseling.

We were never meant to use guilt to control others. We were never meant to control others, period.

Morality comes from the heart of a person. It comes ultimately, I believe, from love. Markyy's right. Fear never produces morality because fear is the opposite of love.

Answer 2

One can feel guilt and still behave immorally. The guilt imposed by a certain culture might play a part in eventual rectification of that person's behavior, but more often, it is getting caught at it that forces the rectification. The guilt is imposed from without many times, even when the transgressor does not feel any remorse. The truly immoral person does not feel the guilt, and it is imposed on him like an inscrutable hammer of the Law. He does not have understanding of why what he has done is wrong (i.e., immoral) because society's guilt is not internalized.

For instance, note the man of God who lies about his socially unacceptable proclivities to maintain the facade of moral behavior, but who is uncovered and must face the truth of his immorality and also his hypocrisy. He only repents because he is caught, or, is his guilt so intense that he unwittingly exposes himself in order to assuage that guilt? It is an impossible question to fully answer.

But I do know that, if such a scenario had played out in Old Japan, that man would be honor-bound to commit seppuku to cleanse his family of the guilt of his actions. In the US or other Western countries, it might result in loss of position or imprisonment. So, it would be in the man's best interest to cover up for immoral actions, whether he feels guilt or not. Perhaps the strength of the guilt plays a part in how closely someone sticks to the moral code. But those with compulsions stronger still will behave immorally despite the action of guilt on the conscience.

In short, the culture of guilt only works on those who adhere to the moral code of the society. Others, the outsiders, of which there are many in every societal group, have a different moral code, and society's imposed "guilt" is like a thunderbolt from an unknown god--a complete mystery.

Answer 3

Naw. Morality is about choice. Being moral not from a personal ethical standpoint but to avoid feeling guilt is obeying the letter, but not the spirit, of the 'law'. Unfortunately, that may be the easiest way to make kids behave, guilt trips.

Answer 4

If people feel guilty all the time, wouldn't that mean they're not living morally? So, I would say no, but, one cannot do right with out feeling bad if they did something wrong or else they wouldn't care to know the difference.

Answer 5

I believe that moral law is written to our hearts. Guilt does not prevent us from doing wrong nor fear. I believe love makes the difference.

Answer 6

No way, when people feel guilty they have trouble respectin themselves and those around them. That makes simple moral decisions about "being good" instead of about how we treat each other. When you dislike yourself or are angry with yourself you are more likely to be jealous and think less of your neighbor, it becomes easier to take their paper or other little things because they suck. Pretty soon, other morals don't seem so important etc. Respect, for oneself and for one's fellows is what brings true morality.

Answer 7

No....not if you are feeling guilty because of some cultural upbringing or societal more. Only you can decide what is your true morality to your own standards.

Answer 8

A culture of guilt is blackmail and nothing else.

Answer 9

No it is not.

The belief that "everyone is a sinner" and "all sins are equal in the eyes of God" leads believers to allow dangerous criminals to stay out of jail where they continue to menace society.

Answer 10

Nope. Avoidance Behavior. That is the one thing I remember from the Psychology class I had.