Analysis of the Components of Social Ethics in the Works of Houshang Moradi Kermani

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze and conceptualize the components of “social ethics” within the fictional world of Houshang Moradi Kermani. The central problem of this study is to identify and explain the position of ethical concepts within the context of collective relationships and interpersonal encounters among the characters in his stories. Moving beyond abstract and individualistic approaches, Moradi Kermani redefines ethics within the lived experiences of disadvantaged social classes and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. This study employs a descriptive–analytical method based on content analysis, whereby a close reading of selected works is used to identify and extract the value system underlying the narratives. The findings indicate that social ethics in Moradi Kermani’s works is founded on principles such as honesty, compassion, altruism, collective responsibility, human dignity, and related ethical values. In his fictional world, ethical actions are represented not as abstract obligations but as practical means of repairing social ruptures and improving the quality of collective life. By portraying his characters’ encounters with poverty, deprivation, and loneliness, the author transforms ethics into a means of fostering resilience and solidarity within societies undergoing transition. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that Moradi Kermani’s ethical system can be characterized as a “secular and human-centered ethics” that, while maintaining the simplicity of his narrative structures, possesses considerable educational depth and reflects profound social concerns. This approach employs literature as a conscious form of social action aimed at promoting compassion and human justice within the social sphere.