LOYALTY OR MORALITY?

Staying Loyal can be cited as faithfulness, devotion, and fidelity. But, how much and how long can an individual stretch their morality just to preserve their unwavering loyalty? When we rattle on loyalty and commitments, we often obliterate about the virtuous moral values and principles that we’ve been ardently and religiously chasing. The loyalties that we develop, transpire as a result of faith and the process of nurturing the relationships. Our identifications can be very deep and often unquestioning. Usually, Loyalty can be extended to consciously acquired relational commitments, as we choose to associate and invest ourselves in the relationships. Although, few philosophers believe that loyalty is strictly interpersonal and only human beings can be the object of loyalty. While, when we dig deep into loyalty as a value or virtue, it becomes more complex. Loyalty doesn’t have to be obliging or constraining. The subject for loyalty here gets a choice, and if unchosen, it raises an unwilling question and might even indicate a lack of integrity. The one who chooses loyalty remains loyal and stays within the bounds that are compatible with the well-being of the object of loyalty. But, it has to become a stipulation for the loyal subject to set boundaries and overpower their moral values.

Most of us feel that loyalty to our clan or comrades has become the foremost part of our identity and even a piece of pride in the society. Whilst, choosing loyalty over morality, are we really backing the canon of our lives? Morality is often misjudged by societal expectations and differentiation. But an individual’s morality is often marked by their own selves with new experiences and interpretations through conscience. Yet, over and over again we are in dilemma with our own demur. Loyalty seems like an everlasting commitment that takes no notice of the subject’s virtues. There are many stories through journalism that notify us about the scandals from corporate to political world cooked with reinforcement of loyalty. Millions were filched without reporting any felony by the faithful ones alongside staying loyal to the object of loyalty. At times, these headlines might make loyalty seem like a very dreadful thing. But one needs to confine the boundaries between loyalty and morality.

Would you trade off and shun on your moral values just to remain loyal to a luminary who wouldn’t look after you to protect your interests? The question stays perpetual throughout all eras of evolution. There have been times when loyalty over morality has just caused substandard concerns. Yet, not to forget loyalty also helps people act in more ethical and socially desirable ways. And as CONFUCIUS (A Chinese Philosopher) says, “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles”.