CHENNAI: Modern institutions need to be carefully examined, as modernity in the present context promotes irreverence, says well known political commentator S Gurumurthy.
At a panel discussion, ‘Uncompromising Ethics for a Compromised World’, organised by Chennai International Centre at Madras School of Economics on Saturday, Gurumurthy said the greatest harm done by modernity was the focus on rights sans the emphasis on individual responsibility.
Stating that it was essential to question the ideals that are currently being promoted among schools, Gurumurthy said, “Instead, we must try to unlearn much of what we have learnt. There are informal institutions where such learning couldbe gained from parents.”
In order to develop an ethical society, he said two pillars are required, namely, humility and contentmet, two qualities which cannot be inculcated through legislation.
The discussion was moderated by Tenzin Priyadarshi, Director, Centre for Ethics and Transformation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Samdhong Rinpoche, eminent Buddhist scholar & former Prime Minister of Tibet-in- Exile explained about the role of modernisation and its impact on individual ethics.
Questioning the need to compromise on ethical values in order to survive in modern society, the Buddhist scholar said the growth of technology had made humans consumers rather than users.