As the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza becomes more macabre, we are confounded by the indifference of some powerful nations that not only have the ability to stop it, but are, in fact, actively enabling the horrific actions.

Some claim to be the birthplace of the lofty philosophies of humanism, others are brothers in faith to the Palestinians. Gaza is the mirror in the fairytale in which the evil stepmother can no longer see her reflection as the most beautiful in the realm.

The history of humanity has sadly been almost continuously trapped in wars fed by rage, revenge, greed or the desire for expansion. What shocks the world today is the cold indifference with which this one is waged. Instead of the shattered limbs of children, there is talk of real estate and historic trade deals. This is a far cry from the literature, art, philosophies and religious beliefs that have formed the narratives that have shaped the world thus far.

Is this the crescendo of an orchestra that has been playing for some time? Direct or indirect colonisation unravelled the social systems of many nations and replaced these with their own values, promising salvation and a place at the table of plenty.

The theatre of war in Gaza has exposed the moral bankruptcy of systems that once claimed to uphold human dignity. So, has the world’s moral compass shattered beyond repair, or does it still have a shot at salvation?

By the time the 1980s arrived, it had become evident which way the world was heading. Following on from the era of the more communal and idealistic values of the 1960s and 1970s, the mantra of the 1980s was a strong “look out for yourself” mindset. It was an era of consumerism, the rise of the young urban professional invested in Wall Street, a time of prioritising personal gain even at the expense of social and environmental responsibility.

The rest of the world was to be seen as locations of lucrative mines and oil wells, whose people were a mere obstacle to be distracted with internal disorder, to enable the exploiters to go about their business. There was a rise of conservative political ideologies and rapacious economic growth. Morality was sidelined. The world was drawn in like moths to this blinding light.

The children of the 1980s are today emerging into key positions in businesses, educational institutions and governments. A digital generation, they are connected to stories all over the world, support sustainable practices, promote diversity and inclusion, and advocate for social justice. Interestingly, research shows that every social media platform has shown people to be overwhelmingly pro-Palestine, uncomfortable under heads of states of an older generation, whose decisions they are reluctant to live with.

There is clearly a moral battle going on in the world today. The arch-villain of Marvel’s Avengers, Loki, has been heavily promoted by Hollywood and Marvel Comics, as has The Joker, who spreads chaos and anarchy, with many glamorising the villain. They represent the complexities of morality that millennials often grapple with in an uncertain world.

Distinctions are made between ethics, morality and conscience. The therapist Steve Carleton points out that ethics is an externally imposed set of standards or rules that must be followed to maintain social order. A moral compass provides guidance in making ethical decisions, while a conscience serves as an internal warning system to alert us when we have violated our moral

code. Finding one’s moral compass has become more difficult than ever before as we live in what he calls “a fractured world.”

People across the world have come to expect less of people in authority, whether in government, the judiciary, security forces, journalism, religious institutions or private organisations. Some experience a collective depression, others just accept it as the new norm and make it work for them. The majority follow a ‘daaman bacha ke rakhna’ [save yourself] approach — protect your own reputation, rather than take a more proactive role in promoting morality in society.

Yet, the teaching of morality starts at home, where children learn moral behaviours through the process of imitating the behaviour of their elders. Psychologists Jean Piaget and Albert Bandura developed guidelines for the development of morality in childhood, especially between the ages of two and seven. Children need clear definitions of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, not only in the home but also in society, thus nurturing empathy, critical thinking, and a robust sense of justice and fairness.

Today, many parents do not make time for their children, are more likely to defend their child’s wrongdoing, and reward them with material possessions rather than inculcating personal pride.

Older societies used stories, myths and legends to impart moral lessons. Rituals and ceremonies often symbolise important moral principles, such as respect for others, reverence for nature, or the importance of sharing resources. Taught with love, these values remain with us throughout our lives.

Durriya Kazi is a Karachi-based artist.
She may be reached at durriyakazi1918@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 25th, 2025