Honor                                   

            Honor is a paradoxical concept as it is at once fluid and concrete; it is having integrity while being flexible in one’s mindset. Honor is often synonymous with morality and morality is imprecise in its nature. My definition of honor is causing the least amount of damage possible when doing what one must. Justification has wiggled its way into morality and there is always a deal being made or an exchange taking place.

My view of honor may reflect the perspective that the modern world has little idea of what honor truly is.  There is an exception to every seemingly immutable rule, a loophole in every code of honor. Certain aspects of the law demonstrate this “exception to the rule” clause. A case of this is when the law makes concessions to criminals in order to help themselves in the long run. A potential scenario could occur like the following: two men plan and commit a home invasion and robbery, but as they are escaping one of the two men kill a resident of the household. The district attorney has the authority to cut deals with criminal in order to get convictions and information, thus enhancing his own career in the process. The criminal may give the authorities vital information, but at what cost? As the saying goes, “there is no honor among thieves” and selling out a partner would mean nothing compared to reduced jail time. The criminal himself is far from a reliable source and the real murderer may escape just punishment. Honor is much too vague a concept in this world. The modern world works less on a system of honor and more on a system of incentives and persecution. Why do people refrain from cheating and killing their way through life? This is probably not due to a conflict of conscience, but more likely, to the fear of getting caught, the fear of being punished. There is no inner compulsion to do what is ethical, but rather exterior forces that make it socially unacceptable to commit wrongdoings.

I am not honorable in the traditional sense: I do not put others before myself and I take advantage of others when I find it necessary. Ambition, self-reliance, and enlightened self-interest have taught that I should put myself before others in this society. Enlightened self-interest is when a person acts to further the interests of others as long as it furthers their own interest. This concept is evident everywhere in our modern world, especially in the United States relations with other countries: foreign aid is not just give to help a country in need; it is given because they have something the United States wants. Most deeds are done under the veil of honor, not because we feel duty bound to help.  This is not to say honorable people do not exist: honorable people are simply not the majority.

However, I am honorable when it comes to those I love and care for, well as my educational career. Honor is first towards my family, above all else. This entails fighting for them, protecting them, and breaking rules for them, showing the complexities of honor once again. Although it is not morally right for me to do something such as lie, in order to adhere to my code of honor, I would lie to protect my family. Honesty is valued, but family loyalty is worth more, and trade-ins blur the meaning of honor. The measuring stick of excellence in the modern world is education. We are constantly told education is the key: the key to success, a better life, and overall happiness. Excellence and its standards are defined by the society in which one lives. Excellence is living up to the highest expectations of one’s society and never falling from grace. In our society, in order to obtain excellence, one must be intelligent and educated and this education must lead to success. This mindset has created a kind of hierarchy where people are judged based on the kinds of universities they attend and their GPA’s, which may not be true signs of intelligence. Honor and excellence are ill-defined notions that are decided by one’s position and society.

Violence does not have many socially acceptable roles in society. Sports and regulated fighting such as MMA seem to be the few legitimate outlets. Violence, or even the threat of violence, can be an important tool when trying to negotiate a situation; it may not be the most subtle or finessed solution but it can be effective. Most violence is a reaction to real or imagined fear. As fear is a part of human nature, there is little chance that the functions of violence will become obsolete.