Need of the hour -72
Man: A Wild Animal? Or a Social Being Guided by Values?
-J.P.Bharathi
When we think of a man, the first things that comes to mind are intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and creativity. But psychology presents another perspective. Every human being has a wild animal hidden within. Just as good thoughts are natural to him, so are bad thoughts. Feelings like cruelty, envy, lust, violence, and exploitation are all part of human nature. From this perspective, man is no different from animals.
As per psychologists, two tendencies are always at work in the human mind. One is the tendency that leads towards good, and the other is the tendency that pulls towards evil. If circumstances are favorable, and has salacious thoughts, a person is very likely to commit crimes. Violent thoughts, obscene feelings, and the desire to hurt others are naturally present in many people. The difference is whether these thoughts translate into action or remain confined to the mind.
The horrific behavior we see in few people in the current world is a proof of all this.
However, who are the people in society who do good deeds, live morally, and help others? Were they born special? Or are they devoid of evil within them? The answer is clear: they too have evil within them. But they have a strong “cage” that controls that evil. That cage is called the value system, moral values, Dharma, fear and love for God.
Values are the fence that protects man. A fence is needed to confine and control a wild animal. Similarly, values are necessary to control the wild nature within a human being. Honesty, responsibility, compassion, tolerance, self-control, and respect for others all these qualities do not come naturally. They must be taught and practiced from childhood. Families need to nurture these values from the day one a child is born or infact parents should practice these values much before they become parents.
Where are these values taught to us? In our homes, our schools, and our colleges. The words spoken by parents in childhood, the lessons taught by teachers, and the examples shown by society, all these together build a person’s value system.
When a student is taught that “not only marks but also humanity is important,” when he grows up, he will think twice before doing something wrong. This is because an internal control system operates within him.
The removal of moral values from education leads to extremely dangerous consequences. Observing today’s education system, a frightening change is evident. The notion that education is solely for the purpose of getting a job has become deeply ingrained. Values, morality, and spirituality are being pushed aside as “unnecessary subjects.”
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