زندگى تحت توفيقات اصول اخلاق - مكارم شيرازى، ناصر - الصفحة ١٣ - Is it possible to alter individuals ' morality and mentalit ythrough training

Is it possible to alter individuals ' morality and mentalit ythrough training ?

This is the question, which clarifies the position of ethics, because if we accept that morality and mentality of individuals depend on the structure of their body and soul, ethics will be vain and purposeless. But if we accept that it is changeable, the importance and value of this science is manifested well.

Some of the scientists have accepted the first possibility andbelieve that as some of trees bear bitter fruits, and

asagardener can not change their nature, mentality of the lowborn and impure- hearted will not be changed through training and even if it is changed, it will be very transitory and superficial, and will soon be restored to its first mode! They suggest that structure of body and soul has a closerelation with morality, and in fact morality of each persondepends on the disposition of his soul and body, and for thisreason, it is not changeable. They cite as a proof the traditionslike:

«النّاسُ مَعادِنٌ كَمَعادِنِ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ».

The people are like the mines of gold and silver.. [١]

In contrast tothis attitude, majority of scientists believe thatmorality and mentalityof individuals is completely alterablet hrough training.

A great deal of experiences on the immoral persons has fullyproved this r eality that a lot of wicked and vicious individualsare perfectly correcte d by a" healthy environment"," goodassociation" and" high training". Othe rwise, all of divineinst ructions of prophets and religious leaders were c ancelled,

[١]Majlessi ,BeharolAnvar ,١٦ /٥٦ ,tradition ١٥