The runaway corruption-cynicism syndrome in Asian cultures: its redemption and the future of bioethics.

Abstract

Corruption has been cynically dismissed as a global phenomenon by some Asian leaders. This attitude becomes a plausible cloak for mala fide deeds. Worse, it becomes a veritable shield for the corrupt. But modern information and investigative systems can penetrate the meticulously built smoke screens and illuminate the murky shadows. Bailouts due to political-economic patronage are, however, routine and considered unworthy of protracted media pursuance, resulting in further cycles of brazen corruption. Public indifference towards the latter is a product of institutional, moral and cultural failures, resulting in corresponding cycles of cynicism. The overall consequence is near total despondence of any meaningful redemption, or overall improvement. In Asia, demographic pressures and/or socio-economic frailities, as also politico-religious bigotry add to the general public disillusion and indifference, and breeds an unending treadmill of further corruption and disgruntled cynicism without much hope for amelioration. The solution, and salvation, lies only in individual and collective (social) espousal of the ethical in every walk, and work, of life. Social, spiritual and cultural pressures enabling political activism in ostracizing both criminal intent and action in public life, maintenance of decorum and propriety in private life by public figures can rekindle hope and confidence, and banish sullen cynicism from the heart and mind of the lay public. In most of Asia this has become an imperative needing urgent attention and implementation, but hardly any silver clouds are yet discernible on any Asian horizon. A sea change in moral perspectives of whole communities only can redeem the situation, and pave the way to a renaissance of the Bioethical culture which, the author asserts, has been an underlying universal ingredient of the Asian psyche through the ages.