10 January 2019
Morality gone adrift?
A recent article in the Solomon Star newspaper told the story of a landing craft having developed mechanical problems at sea when travelling from Honiara to Auki carrying cargo.
The landing craft washed ashore in the Langalanga lagoon when looters jumped aboard and reportedly removed whatever they could lay their hands on. One eye witness, said to have been travelling on board the vessel, described the looting as ‘daylight robbery.’
The police are yet to lay any charges against the looters.
The Solomon Islands will be perceived negatively by those learning of the incident and be tempted to consider that something must be radically wrong with its culture and present-day society when people continue to desert it.
Morality arises out of our innate desire for safety, stability and order, without which no society can function; basic moral precepts (that looting and theft are wrong, for example).
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
