Video and Audio

The Relativity of Morals

Ask Me About Truth, Episode 2
Swami Kriyananda
April 17, 2012

Moral value is not relative, Swami Kriyananda explains, and uses examples to illustrate why this is so: because our moral choices effect who we are and who we become.

He also explores situations when moral choices may not be so straightforward.

Questions include:

  • Throughout the 20h century, truth was considered to be relative. My truth is different from your truth. Does that approach make sense?
  • If we were to devise a moral code, what would be a good starting place: the yamas and niyamas of the yogic teachings, the 10 Commandments...?
  • Are there limits to how much you should honor your father or mother?
  • Even in the 10 Commandments, there must be some relativity there — for example, "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the commandments, but what if you need to do so to defend your country or an innocent person?

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