The Moral Crisis -- A Crisis of Justice

Oscar B. Johannsen

[Reprinted from The Gargoyle, August-September 1971]

Open almost any intellectual periodical, watch any serious TV debate, listen to almost any sermon, and you cannot help but be assailed with some aspect of what is generally called the moral crisis of our times.

Usually these discussions deal with the most obvious manifestations, as the increasing number of movies and shows dealing so blatantly with sex and its deviations, the young people's revolt against the standards or dress and deportment, and the riots and disorders occurring on the least provocation.

What do we mean when we say we are in a moral crisis? What do we mean by moral?

Although it is quite usual to equate "moral" and "just" as though they were synonyms, the fact is that while they may be related, they are not the same.

Justice is concerned with standards which arise out of the nature of man. Because man requires access to the earth to obtain the goods necessary to sustain his life, then access to the earth is a right. It is just. Man requires wealth in order to live. Therefore, it is right -- it is just that he own wealth. Justice has to do with that which is absolutely necessary for man to live.

Morality, on the other hand, deals with standards which arise out of man's experiences and customs. In a monogamous society, polygamy or polyandry is immoral since it is not in accord with the society's standards. Questions of justice do not enter, as there is no natural necessity requiring that a man or woman have more than one spouse.

There is nothing just or unjust about a sex play. It is moral or immoral, depending on the customs of the society. If the play violates the standards, it is immoral. Thus, there is nothing incongruous about a play being immoral in one society and moral in another. It is merely evidence that the customs of the two societies differ.

However, though it probably cannot be proved, there does seem to be some connection between a just society and one which many people would call highly moral. From an historical viewpoint it does seem that a society which adheres fairly closely to the standard of justice does tend to have morals or customs which most approve. America, in the 19th Century, probably adhered closer to the concepts of justice than did European countries.

At the same time, it was noted that America had more puritanical standards particularly in contrast to Europe's more sophisticated attitude toward such matters as sex.

Now, if there is this connection between justice and morality, then to say that the country is going through a moral crisis implies that it is going through a crisis dealing with justice. And it certainly does appear that Americans do not respect the rights of others to the extent that they once aid. One hardly needs cite any examples, as the newspapers are full of cases where the rights of individuals are being invaded. To be robbed is to suffer an injustice. Yet, how often do we learn that the thief seems to be given more consideration than the victim.

The moral crisis is really a crisis of justice. It is not, merely that the customs are changing -- the concepts of what is just and unjust are under attack.

Those seeking to solve the moral crisis would do better if they concentrated on what is just and unjust in our society. To denounce young men for wearing long hair is pointless and to imply that short hair is one step toward a more moral society is absurd. Instead, if they studied the injustices which afflict our society, the results will be much more satisfactory. For example, if they recognize the gross injustice of private property in land and work to eliminate it, as well as other injustices, then it is quite likely that our country will come through the moral crisis successfully.

With a just society will come the highly moral society, the hallmarks of which are good manners, consideration, toleration and kindness.