Honor is the relationship between individuals and society
Honor is the relationship between individuals and society. This relationship is based on the quality of a person that manifests as a code of conduct. Individuals with honor exhibit valor, honesty, compassion, and chivalry. Honor is an abstract concept revealing the worthiness and respect accorded to individuals, institutions, or nations. Honor is accorded with regards to moral code of the society and the harmony of action as per the code of honor.
Honor is closely associated with other values such as integrity, dignity, high regards and esteem. This means that honor is not merely accorded to individuals. They have to acquire it by conducting themselves as per the societal expectations (Nowak, Gelfand, Borkowski, Cohen, Hernandez, 2015). In the effort of living and living virtuously, the society recognizes it and accords such people honor. Ideally, honorable people are humble, and they do not necessarily seek to be accorded the honor. In their effort to do what is right, it gets the attention of society.
A suitable example is Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for civil rights and equality. His mission was to make America a place for both White and African Americans. While attempting to do so, his virtuous actions earned him global honor even to this present day.
Honor has not always been understood as a code of conduct and morals. In the early medieval era, honor referred to wealth. Lords and ladies were recognized depending on the manors and lands they owned. During this era, honor was a socioeconomic status as opposed to values and beliefs. When an individual pledged and stated the term, ‘on my honor,’ it referred to both personal values and material possessions (Hauser, 2006). As the eras advanced, the definition of honor transitioned from economic capability to conscience. Nowadays, the prioritize character and conduct more than an individual’s socioeconomic status.
Honor has an intimate association with leadership. Guiding people in a certain direction cannot happen if honor is absent. Leaders can influence their followers because respect exists (Nowak et al. 2015). Therefore, leaders have to earn the honor needed for followers to believe in them. Trust is yet another element that works closely with honor in leadership. Leading people to achieve certain goals has to include a trust for both leaders and followers. The leaders have to trust followers to obey their guidance while the followers will trust leaders.
Honor is not just a perception determined by character and morals. It is also an action toward individuals, group, or institutions. Recognizing excellence and appreciating it is a form of honor. People and institutions are honored for their goods deed. For example, students who perform exceptionally are awarded as a sign of honoring their achievement. Such an act does not impact the recipient but also the audiences. Being honored is an amazing experience and it means the society values the individual. The audiences will be positively influenced by this experience and endeavor to be honored.
A society valuing honor lives in harmony because the goal is to abide to the code of conduct. Although not every individual will live by honor, those who value it will motivate the rest. Honor ensures that people live a high-quality life because they value and respect each other (Hauser, 2006). A nation with honorable leaders will be on continuous growth and advancement. Honor is a fundamental value of daily life.