Joan Didion: an Analysis of Her Writings on Morality

Morality is a complex concept that has been the subject of discussion since the beginning of civilization. It is one that affects every aspect of life, from the choices we make to the words we speak. One popular writer who has tackled the subject of morality is Joan Didion. In her works, she presents the reader with a critical exploration of the moral landscape. This essay will explore Joan Didion's perspective on morality.

Self-Examination and Morality

Joan Didion's writings emphasize the importance of self-examination in establishing a sense of morality. In most of her works, Didion pushes her readers to reflect on their own values, belief system, and their actions. Didion's perspective on morality suggests that self-examination is crucial to understanding your moral compass. She believes that individuals must try to understand why they do what they do, to be in touch with their inner values and beliefs, to make choices that reflect their innermost convictions, and to engage in a process of continual self-reflection.

Influence of Environment and Society

Didion's writing highlights the influence of the environment and society on a person's moral values. Our experiences, culture, and social environment shape our view of the world, and in turn, dictate our moral convictions. Didion suggests that our moral compass is also shaped by our cultural norms and values. This results in a set of pervasive ideas that develop within a society and form the basis of these moral values. The significance of this influence is exemplified in the frameworks that restrict and inhibit the evolution of moral values, impeding the establishment of newer and potentially less oppressive value structures.

Language and Morality

Didion's focus on language in some of her works, highlights its impact on morality. Words are a way that we communicate our behavioral norms and moral values. They represent a set of codified values within our culture. However, they are also used in a manner that represents a shift in the cultural narrative, to uphold oppressive societal structures. A lot of what we do is shaped by the words that we use. By using words, we frame our actions within the context of the norms and values of society. Didion argues that language is a vehicle for ideas, the representation of the ideals of our society and that by choosing our words carefully, we can shape the way that we view the world and thus, make decisions that align with our moral compass.

Power and Morality

In her works, Didion highlights the issue of power, and how it shapes our morality. She emphasizes how systems of power influence the climate of society and thus set the tone for acceptable behavior. She suggests that power establishes what is right and what is wrong, and that this sets the foundation for our moral values. As revealed in her writings, power structures strive to maintain the status quo, and morality is often restricted by these forces. Didion argues that power structures within society oppress individuals and keep them from realizing their moral values fully. This is demonstrated through the consolidation of power structures in the media and in governmental institutions, solidifying structures that only benefit the elite.

Ethical Inquiry and Morality

Didion's writing highlights the importance of ethical inquiry in the examination of morality. Ethics, in one sense, represent the systematic approach or inquiry into the quotidian lives of individuals. It aims to set a structure that individuals can use to evaluate right and wrong in everyday decision-making. Ethics operate as a guideline for individuals to reflect on, analyze, and evaluate their actions. Didion suggests that individuals must engage in ethical inquiry to establish their moral values continually. This involves reflecting on the underlying principles and motivations behind each decision made. Low-order thinking or a lack of deliberate reflection and inquiry may result in the manifestation of unintentional actions that are incongruent with an individual's ideal moral compass.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Joan Didion's work is a remarkable dissection of the moral landscape that drives the decisions and values of individuals. Her writings are insightful and thought-provoking, addressing morality and the impact of societal values and norms on an individual's moral compass. The analysis of her works offers a call to action to engage in critical inquiry, self-reflection, and to test consistently moral beliefs from multiple perspectives. The praxis of her writings demonstrates that individuals can establish complex frameworks to uphold and evaluate the moral values they hold at an individual level.