During my current stay in Europe, I had the privilege of engaging in insightful discussions with a diverse group of friends, relatives and acquaintances across four countries, ultimately concluding my travels in London, where I am presently based.
These discussions revealed a prevailing sense of shock among many, pointing to a deep-rooted crisis within European societies.
It became increasingly clear that Europe is grappling with an identity crisis, one that is intricately linked to its core values and moral foundations.
The dialogues I had with individuals from various backgrounds underscored a profound confusion regarding the present state of affairs. A central theme that emerged from these conversations was a recurring and pressing question: How did we arrive at this point of moral ambiguity?
There has been a dramatic shift in the perception of values and morality, to the extent that behaviours once considered forbidden are now widely accepted, while others previously deemed acceptable have fallen out of favour.
A recurring theme that emerged in my conversations was the growing sense that Europe is struggling with a moral void, as many believe that the abandonment of religious foundations, without establishing a clear alternative moral framework, has left societies in a state of deep uncertainty.
This has resulted in a series of contradictions, where, on one hand, the defence of animal rights is strongly emphasised, yet on the other, practices that undermine human dignity and fundamental rights are justified. Additionally, there is a notable paradox where cultural diversity is championed, but the same societies simultaneously impose restrictions and foster hatred towards specific religious or ethnic groups, exemplified by the rise of Islamophobia and racial prejudice.
What is even more concerning is the fact that the values Europeans hold dear today no longer seem to be grounded in consistent moral principles but are instead shaped by the influence of power and authority. Politicians, the media and large corporations now have the power to dictate what is considered acceptable or right, which contributes to the erosion of traditional moral frameworks. As a result, people are gradually distancing themselves from their religious identities, and the Christian values that once formed the bedrock of European society are being discarded, leading to the loss of the moral clarity that once guided the continent.
The erosion of values in the West began when freedom was granted an inflated significance, elevating it from a mere value to an overriding guiding principle. By treating freedom as the ultimate reference, it opened the door to limitless desires, regardless of how irrational they might be. When individuals engage in behaviours that many deem immoral or disgraceful, they justify their actions by invoking the notion of freedom, claiming, “This is our freedom, and we are entitled to do as we please.”
This unchecked freedom has encouraged people to pursue their desires without limit. In the absence of any moral guidance, desires themselves have become the ultimate authority, with liberal freedom serving only to amplify these desires at the cost of ethical standards.
This, in turn, has contributed to the rapid moral decline that is increasingly evident in contemporary European societies.
One of the most significant consequences of these societal shifts is the direct correlation between declining birth rates and a shrinking working-age population. As birth rates decrease, the future labour force contracts, leading to slower growth in key industries and, ultimately, a reduction in Europe’s economic competitiveness. This demographic trend leaves countries with low birth rates more exposed to external shocks and political instability, further complicating their future prospects.
It is indeed a sobering reality that European societies, once global leaders in principles and achievements, now find themselves struggling to answer fundamental questions: What is right? What is wrong? What is normal? What is abnormal? This moral crisis is not confined to Europe alone; it is a broader dilemma facing Western civilisation. Having reached the zenith of emancipation, the West now appears to have lost its moral compass.
I sincerely hope that Europe will confront this crisis before it is too late and reclaim its legacy as a beacon of civilisation, history and scientific progress.
akram@fp7.com
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