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tbarryfigu's picture

Tabla Raza and Other Thoughts

If you consciously make an immoral decision, that decision will never become moral. You become immoral.

I've had a hard time talking about the origin of morality with regards to Howard's End, especially after writing my last paper about it. I approached the subject in a truly evolutionary manner, and find that I am not interested in the development of the moral code of these characters. The origin of morality is more than its singular application in the life of one, or a group of people. It is a slowly integrated "process" of ideals, one which, in Howard's End, was largely the result of the already founded English class and culture structure (It's been said before, no one is surprised here I'm sure). People find morality at different rates (if at all) in their lives. What makes Margaret, or Mr. Wilcox, or Leonard Bast so special? Why does an "origin" of morality lie with their character development? Is it possible that they just woke up one day and had changed their outlook on life, had heard a symphony that made them want to be better people? If so, good for them. However, I find it hard to identify such a turning point when I cannot even identify my own "origin" of morality. Are we all born with tabla raza? Or did I hear some song along the way...  

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