What Is Honor?

 

What Is Honor?

Author: Gouya Roshan

In many traditional societies, a man’s value and identity are tied to his control over the women in his family. Over time, honor has been transformed into a sexualized concept imposed on women, rather than a reflection of truth, humanity, integrity, and responsibility.

Of course, this perception differs in Western societies, where social pressure is generally less intense.
However, if we consider the following, it becomes clear that this sensitivity often stems from inner anxiety and insecurity: a lack of self-confidence, fear of social judgment, or low self-esteem. Instead of cultivating intrinsic values, individuals cling to superficial perceptions and the control of others.

In some societies, people do not hold this view out of personal conviction, but out of fear of what others might say. As a result, honor becomes something defined by others, not by one’s own conscience. At times, instead of being a genuine moral value, honor is misused as a tool to exert power, commit injustice, or justify violence.

Therefore, it is worth noting that today very few people engage deeply with this concept, because the notion of honor, whether in Western or traditional societies, has not been sufficiently analyzed.

Because honor is defined as not being cruel, even when we have the power to be.
Honor means taking responsibility for one’s words and actions.
Honor means respecting the dignity and reputation of others.
Honor means following one’s conscience and not fearing the judgment of others.
Honor means not condemning someone for a sin they have not committed.

Thus, the problem begins when morality becomes “selective.” A person who lies, slanders, betrays, yet still considers themselves “honorable” simply because they are sensitive about one particular issue, is , by definition immoral. Such a person is obsessive. True morality is a definition that shifts respect from controlling others to being responsible for oneself. And this is precisely where real ethics begin.

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