The absence of acknowledging true good deprives a person of internal restraints, turning every opportunity into a justification for selfish acts.

The Erosion of Virtue: How Denying Good Undermines Ethics

The absence of acknowledging true good deprives a person of internal restraints, turning every opportunity into a justification for selfish acts. When moral guidelines seem empty and their value is not taken seriously, personal gain becomes the measure of every decision – often leading to unchecked audacity. Every action ceases to be evaluated from a standpoint of responsibility, allowing one to justify even the most questionable relationships and behaviors in pursuit of material benefit.

This approach not only undermines traditional moral foundations but also fosters the rise of ethical skepticism. Although such skepticism may seem to add intellectual depth, in reality it merely weakens the sense of duty and compassion. The everyday good that surrounds us and forms the basis for proper and fair interaction loses its significance if it is neither valued nor recognized. As a result, a person begins to pursue personal gain at the expense of widely accepted moral principles, which destroys their inner compass and leads to the justification of any action.

In the end, the refusal to acknowledge good deprives us of the fundamental guidelines without which life cannot be considered full or responsible. It is precisely adherence to moral values that preserves a balance of interests and prevents reckless behavior, acting as a bulwark in a world where material profit is increasingly prioritized over true human dignity.

How can the absence of acknowledging good influence the formation of a person’s audacity and ethical principles?

The lack of recognition of good—that is, the refusal to understand and accept fundamental moral guidelines—can lead to the disappearance of the internal "brakes" that restrain reckless and selfish actions. If a person fails to see genuine value in good, they begin to prioritize their own interests above all else, which results in increased audacity and the justification of any actions aimed at achieving material gain.

For example, as stated in one source: "A non-believing person is capable of anything; he has no brakes, he can lie, he can abandon, he can even leave for another. He is capable of everything because he seeks material gain in all things. Suppose your wife has aged and fallen ill—then just abandon her and find a young, good, and healthy one. From a common-sense perspective, that is exactly how one should act..." (source: link txt). This clearly shows that the lack of recognition of spiritual and moral values permits a person to act unimpeded, guided solely by personal benefit, which leads to the development of audacity and the loss of ethical direction.

It is also noted that "Much contributes to the widespread disbelief in good is the circumstance that ethical skepticism, accompanied by more or less clever denials, is more effective than defending positive teachings; it gives a person the appearance of a deeper intellect. The everyday good, without which one cannot live even a single day, is as familiar to us as the air we breathe, and therefore we do not know how to truly appreciate it" (source: link txt). From this, one can conclude that the rejection of acknowledging good not only weakens traditional moral values but also encourages the development of skepticism which justifies a dismissive attitude toward established ethical norms. In this case, the internal sense of duty is lost, and a person begins to see audacity as normal while treating traditional principles as foreign and unnecessary.

Thus, the absence of acknowledgment of good leads to the loss of the benchmarks embedded in traditional moral values. Without the ability to distinguish and highly value good, a person becomes vulnerable to the temptation of acting solely out of personal gain, ultimately not only breeding audacity but also destroying the foundation of an ethical worldview.