Self-Assertion in an Era of Moral Uncertainty
The weakening of traditional cultural institutions and the loss of moral benchmarks lead individuals to seek new forms of self-affirmation while simultaneously making riskier decisions. In the past, religious culture and traditional values shaped understandings of morality by providing an absolute basis for behavior and worldview. When these foundations become blurred, the familiar moral support disappears, and individuals feel compelled to fill an inner void and compensate for a sense of loss, often by seeking self-affirmation through displays of strength or the pursuit of power.
As noted in one source, "Religious culture provides an understanding of moral norms that guide a person in a morally oriented way, rather than being relative or situational. It is precisely free access to one's own religious culture that allows for judgments and actions based on moral values" (source: link txt). This quote illustrates that without the clear moral cues provided by traditional institutions, people lose the ability to rely on stable norms, which in turn makes self-affirmation an uncontrolled process.
In the absence of traditional guidelines, alternative forms of self-affirmation become more pronounced. According to another source, "The desire for self-affirmation is most vividly expressed in the pursuit of power. In this case, power over people often becomes an end in itself rather than a means to acquire transcendent values" (source: link txt). This indicates that the loss of traditional moral guidance leads to a shift towards a demonstrative display of strength and influence. Deprived of external moral standards, individuals begin to seek validation of their worth through risky actions and power struggles, which is frequently accompanied by high levels of personal and social risk.
This transformation in approaches to self-affirmation is often accompanied by negative psychological consequences. The absence of a solid moral foundation can cause deep emotional wounds linked to the perception of failed self-affirmation, potentially leading to the development of personal complexes or even mental disorders. Thus, the erosion of traditional cultural institutions not only alters modes of self-identification but also heightens an individual's propensity to make risky decisions in the pursuit of self-affirmation.
Supporting citation(s):
"Religious culture provides an understanding of moral norms that guide a person in a morally oriented way, rather than being relative or situational. It is precisely free access to one's own religious culture that allows for judgments and actions based on moral values." (source: link txt)
"The desire for self-affirmation is most vividly expressed in the pursuit of power. In this case, power over people often becomes an end in itself rather than a means to acquire transcendent values." (source: link txt)