The Idiot: Ethics And Path To Morality

As one of the important novels by Dostoevsky, The Idiot focuses its concern on the existence and worth of man in the real world. The novel centers its theme on anthropology, ethics and religious thoughts rather than a history of social or political ideas. Dostoevsky commits himself to the pursuit of a noble and meaningful life for humankind in reality, so in this sense, he is more an ethic thinker than a writer. All his works endeavor to safeguard human destiny and dignity. The Idiot examines such issues as the relationship between religion and morality, the moral consequence of atheism and nihilism, and the way onto inner bliss.The ethics of the 19th century, based on scientific reason, was characterized by utilitarianism and accordingly an extreme materialistic attitude toward life. The Idiot, in exploring the path to ethical freedom, challenges the absolute dominance of reason in the modern world, holding that moral creeds lie in steadfast faith, that ethical values are rooted in religious faith, and that moral values cannot be deduce merely from reason.Ethical practice, integrated in religious faith, originates from epiphany and sacred feeling inspired by love for God, the spiritual elevation and sublimation of the individual. Love is manifold in meaning, however, only Christ's pity and benevolence is the supreme ethical horizon. This love transcends the individual itself, embodies human pursuit of perfect being, and proves to be a creative ethical feeling.No doubt terrible are the moral consequences of atheism and nihilism. Because man automatically formulate ethics in God's place, ethics loses its sustaining ground. Human free will generates varying living and moral outlooks in individuals. So, without God, anything is possible. The beauty of Christ is the exclusive force to save the world. Christ is love by nature, is an ethical being. Only by observing God's teaching can men find the way to inner bliss and ethical freedom.