In the 6th century BC, after attaining enlightenment, Buddha said that all human beings are suffering. And the real cause of their suffering is ‘Desire’. If they can conquer desire, their suffering will vanish. Similarly, that desire represents the moral crisis prevailing in today’s world at different levels, and this is causing hardship to everyone.
Thus, through conquering that ‘Desire of moral crisis’, problems will be solved. Moral crisis is a situation when the value system of an entity is not in coherence with society and other communities. And it’s very unfortunate that the problem of moral crisis can rise. The value system of individuals, society, nation, etc., is on a path of deterioration.
In this essay, we will discuss the various aspects of moral crisis and how it is causing problems. Furthermore, we will discuss the methods to solve the crisis. Finally, looking at the challenges of rectifying moral crisis, we will try to find a way forward. From ancient times, addressing the moral crisis problems of the world has led to solutions. During the Bhakti movement, society was divided into various sub-castes, the position of women was at its lowest, and Shudras and untouchables were living on the periphery of society. But Bhakti saints, through promoting values of love, devotion to God, working for human welfare, and equality of varnas, solved the problem manifold.

In the 19th century, when the world was facing the moral crisis of ‘slavery’, it was the great man Abraham Lincoln who fought to solve the issue with the end of the American Civil War. After costing millions of lives, finally slavery was abolished, and Blacks achieved parity with others. Even in the social sphere, moral crisis is affecting society in various forms. The moral crisis of division in society based on the Varna system gave rise to the problem of casteism. As one of the direst social evils, it divides people from living and eating together, as Shudras and Chamars live on the periphery of upper-caste villages. Thus, by preventing its politicization, generating awareness, and promoting modern values, it can be eradicated, and an egalitarian society will prosper. Another moral crisis is the absence of tolerance among different religious groups. It has reached a point where one’s intentions conflict with another’s.
The partition of India was a manifestation of this. To eliminate communalism, it is imperative to promote secular education and balanced socio-economic development. The situation becomes even more severe when moral crisis manifests as the ‘objectification’ and ‘subjugation’ of women. This has prevented almost half of the population from contributing to the holistic development of society.

Sexual harassment, rape, missing women, and domestic violence are its reflections. As Brigham Young said, “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; then you educate a society.” Thus, by empowering women through education, reproductive rights, a uniform civil code, economic independence, etc., happiness can be pursued worldwide. In fact, another gender group (Transgender) is struggling due to society’s moral crisis of negligence, demeaning, and exploitation towards them. Even LGBTQ groups are facing moral crises such as stigmatization and tabooism. Therefore, to create an inclusive society, it is necessary to provide them with rights equal to other genders both in letter and spirit.
Now, discussing ‘globalization’, which has induced a moral crisis of ‘individualism’, egoism, and consumerism leading to a rise in problems such as depression, suicides, and modernization of family structures. Through raising awareness about the positive impacts of globalization, the world’s problems can be addressed. Exploring the moral crisis in the political sphere, countries often label themselves as democratic but resort to suppressing ‘dissent’ and ‘criticism’. In fact, they sometimes engage in state-sponsored attacks on their own people. The Middle East crisis is a manifestation of this behavior. Therefore, using international platforms like UNSC and pursuing international cooperation can help solve these problems.
Speaking about democracy, which means ‘government by the people,’ it cannot be achieved without active participation from citizens in the governance process. As an ex-USA president said, “There cannot be daily democracy without daily citizenship.” Consequently, issues like corruption, lack of transparency, and governance deficits become prevalent. By institutionalizing social audits, creating a conducive environment for NGOs, and strengthening mechanisms like Right to Information (RTI), the moral crisis of citizens’ indifference can be addressed. Another aspect of moral crisis is neglecting the development of the poorer strata of society through a top-down development model. This has led to widespread poverty.
In India, around 26% of the population is multidimensionally poor – the highest globally. Therefore, promoting inclusive development and adopting a bottom-up approach can help alleviate this global issue. Expanding on global challenges, there is a rising moral crisis where some countries violate international law and threaten smaller countries for their assertive rise.
For example, China’s violations in the South China Sea reflect this crisis. In such situations, responsible countries play a crucial role in diplomatically addressing these issues and promoting a multipolar, free, and open world order through international cooperation. The failure of international organizations to address global issues stems from a moral crisis where a few countries dominate decision-making processes with biased decisions. To address this issue effectively, there should be equality in representation within these organizations and reforms should align with contemporary world dynamics to better address global challenges.
Finally, there is a moral crisis related to exploiting natural resources for national development that is degrading forests and water bodies and jeopardizing human civilization as a whole. By promoting sustainable development through agreements like the Paris Agreement and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this moral dilemma can be resolved.

Challenges
After examining different facets of moral crises, the question arises: why are we unable to solve these crises when solutions already exist? The answer lies in lack of willpower. The value of ‘ignorance is bliss’ and a nonchalant attitude are fueling these moral crises. Additionally, at an individual level, education has shifted focus towards intelligence rather than character development. At a societal level, disparities in socio-economic growth and threats to indigenous cultures are pushing communities towards crises. National governments face pressure to do more with less while international communities are engaged in competition rather than cooperation.
Way Forward
To implement solutions for resolving moral crises across various entities effectively, fundamental problems need to be addressed. This can be achieved through character building via education and democratic parenting at an individual level. At a societal level, preserving cultural heritage like those listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage is essential. Inclusive development that focuses on marginalized and deprived sections is imperative for societal progress. At a national level, fostering responsible grassroots democracy (following Gandhiji’s noble vision) is crucial. Internationally, countries should adhere to international rules and promote cooperation using multilateral forums.
Finally, by following Buddha’s Eightfold Path to conquer desire, one can address the moral crisis effectively and contribute to making the world prosperous and happy.