This is Why We Have Laws

Who decides the laws of Morality and Ethics? Who decides Greatness? Who defines Crime? Who decides Legality? All these questions have a very similar suggestion to make. The answers to these questions can help us decipher the whole of mankind and its forms as manifested in the societal framework we live in today. These questions entail the development, growth and continuity of human subspecies. We as the contemporary lot of human subspecies have taken for granted the sophistication our forefathers had to go through while defining the laws or rules which govern us today. Morality, as defined by Plato, is only relative to the kind of world we inhabit at. Morality is not absolute in nature as is exhibited by the growing number of crime related activities.

The studies of psyches of some hardcore criminals make us understand the concepts of Plato rather well than anything else. Their Psyches does not define Morality as the conventional concept but rather they have developed their own idea of Morality. Their idea of Morality is influenced by socio-economic conditions in which they are bred and brought up in. There are lots of instances in the contemporary world that show us very well why morality is not absolute. The cases of serial killers killing with impunity are examples worth mentioning. What is the reason behind their so called inhumane and brutal behavior? Is it because they are insane? Is it because of hatred? It might come to you as a surprise but these serial killers do not think themselves as criminals and have no sense of regret whatsoever. They kill without hatred most of the times. So what prompts or rather motivates them to take the plunge and kill someone without hatred? The only plausible explanation to this has to be the development of “Parallel Morality” which is against the law defined morality of the state which is followed by the masses. This parallel morality is detrimental to the superego (Sigmund Freud in the Interpretation of dreams) which is called the conscience in the vernacular. The destruction of Superego by the hands of Parallel Morality has repercussions for the individual who is only a physical manifestation of this whole struggle. This instigates the killer to approach and kill with impunity. The only obstruction in the path of a human being ready for destruction of human life can be conscience but this conscience is missing in the Serial killers thereby making them more dangerous to control.

The above example is the very rationale behind having well defined Laws rather than having well defined Moralities. Moralities are very frail in nature and their dynamic behavior can cause irreparable casualties. Due to this, we define and enforce the laws rather than Moralities. Also, Morality is highly influenced by the ruling class. This makes it even more important to have laws in place that could deal with the collective conscience of the entire class of people who are living within the state boundaries. A law enables us to ensure transparency and credibility in the state machinery and therefore helps us to keep our superego or conscience in good stead. It ensures the peace and security of a nation and prosperity for the entire nation. Let’s hope we keep our “Superego” over and above “Parallel Morality” and build a better India.