ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the relations between possessing honor, being accepted and included versus being considered deviant, honorless, excluded and stigmatized, based upon social norms and moral judgments. Dishonor and disgrace signify a reputation of being immoral and not trustworthy. Individuals can acquire a stigma by association due to the moral deviance of an associate, such as a family member, and there are specific ways of ending such a stigma. The chapter argues that these are normal social processes in all human societies, including the Middle East and adjacent areas, and relate to an individual’s reputation of decency and integrity. Inclusion and acceptance of individuals are conditional: an individual is only admitted in other individuals’ company when they allow. Moral virtues are linked to the ethical concept of integrity and trustworthiness. Deviance from moral norms is overall considered more important than deviance from social norms, ‘prescriptions of behaviors and attitudes that are considered acceptable or desirable in a given social unit’.