Specific Enquiries on Social Ethics - Summing Up

Anjali: In summing up certain ethical problems that come up in the context of particular social situations, Swamiji, you have explained that in general, no moral situation is dogmatic. Its evaluation often depends upon factors outside the obvious ones whether in the case of euthanasia, abortion, political and economic pressures, the sati practice, vegetarianism or in the moral decisions of great men during their fight between good and evil. It is important to analyse these decisions as they tend to have historical repercussions. Such decisions ought to be based on the higher values of life and for the welfare of society in general thereby ennobling man and helping towards the goal of self-realisation.This becomes necessary because a person’s choice of action or his field of functioning, including the food he eats, the kind of person he loves, and reflects the values that he upholds in life. If his values are higher, his actions are better.We need to train ourselves to be socially sensitive, but this is best achieved by dedicating our activities to a higher goal. A superficial face-lifting of society by social workers without trying to improve themselves does not achieve lasting results.Love of God is the highest moral truth which expresses in the world as giving rather than receiving, in an irresistible dash into the hearts of all, culminating in the sublime fusion of the finite with the Infinite.Swamiji, in case there are further questions arising from the answers you have so patiently and obligingly given, I hope it will be in order to join you on another journey, preferably one which takes us even further beyond!.Note: With this article, the series ‘On Wings & Wheels’ with Swami Chinmayananda comes to an end.