Ethical Warnings for Today: A Reflection on Orwell’s 1984
George Orwell’s 1984 is often seen as a warning about a distant dystopian future, but its themes resonate deeply with today’s world. The book presents a society where truth is manipulated, language is weaponized, and individuality is systematically crushed. Reading the novel made me reflect on how similar mechanisms operate in our society today—how misinformation spreads, how people conform to dominant narratives, and how ethical considerations can be obscured by systemic control. This reflection explores three key themes from 1984 and their relevance in our modern world: Newspeak as a tool of oppression, the struggle for individual integrity, and the suppression of truth.
Newspeak as Ethical Blindness: Language as a Tool of Oppression
One of the most striking elements of Orwell’s novel is Newspeak, a language engineered by the Party to eliminate dissent. By systematically reducing vocabulary and removing nuanced meanings, the Party ensures that certain ideas—such as rebellion or freedom—become literally unthinkable. As one character states, “The whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought […] We shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible because there will be no words in which to express it.”
This reminded me of ethical blindness in today’s society, where corporate jargon and political discourse often obscure unethical realities. Consider how companies use phrases like “cost optimization” instead of acknowledging unsafe working conditions or human rights violations. Just as Newspeak limits thought, modern rhetoric often conceals or distorts the truth.
Another parallel is social media and AI algorithms, which create information echo chambers. Platforms tailor content to individual biases, narrowing perspectives and reinforcing existing beliefs, much like Newspeak constrains independent thought. Additionally, generative AI tools increasingly shape discourse, leading to a decline in critical engagement with information.
Even in daily life, we are complicit in systems that enforce ethical blindness. For example, most jobs require using electronic devices that rely on exploitative supply chains. If viewed from an outsider’s perspective—say, a child forced to mine cobalt for batteries—this system would appear fundamentally unethical. Yet, we rarely question it, much like the citizens of 1984 accept Party rule.
The Struggle for Individual Integrity
In 1984, Winston Smith represents the fight to preserve individual thought and truth in an oppressive system. His resistance against the Party mirrors the struggles of activists and whistleblowers today. Groups like Extinction Rebellion (XR) challenge environmental destruction, often facing suppression similar to the way Winston is persecuted.
Winston’s ultimate defeat—where he betrays his beliefs and accepts the Party’s reality—reflects the psychological cost of dissent. This reminded me of how whistleblowers in corporations often face severe repercussions for exposing systemic wrongdoing. Many organizations fail to foster psychological safety, discouraging employees from speaking up about unethical practices.
Public perception also plays a role. Just as Winston is eventually seen as a traitor, modern activists are often dismissed as radicals. The majority tends to favor stability over disruption, making it difficult for individuals to push back against entrenched systems.
Truth Suppression: Controlling Reality
A central theme in 1984 is the manipulation of truth. The Party’s slogan—“Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past”—illustrates how those in power shape historical narratives to serve their interests.
This concept is alarmingly relevant today. Many corporations engage in greenwashing, portraying themselves as environmentally responsible while continuing harmful practices. Similarly, political leaders and media outlets sometimes distort facts to manipulate public perception.
In class discussions on corporate ethics, we examined cases where organizations obscured unethical actions through misleading sustainability reports and selective disclosure. These tactics resemble the Party’s historical revisionism, where records are altered to align with the ruling ideology.
One of the most dangerous aspects of this phenomenon is that it deprives people of the ability to challenge authority. If history is rewritten and facts are manipulated, resistance becomes nearly impossible—just as Winston ultimately submits to Big Brother’s reality.
Conclusion: Lessons for Today
Living ethically in the modern world is more complex than ever. We often participate in unethical systems without realizing it, much like Winston at the end of 1984. The suppression of independent thought—whether through Newspeak, digital algorithms, or corporate narratives—is accelerating at an exponential rate.
As Orwell’s novel warns, truth and integrity are fragile. Ethical behavior requires vigilance, courage, and collective resistance. In an era of technological dominance and increasing centralization of power, Orwell’s warnings remain more relevant than ever.
Key Questions for Reflection
- How do we resist systems that seek to control thought and reality?
- How do we support individuals who challenge unethical practices?
- How do we ensure that truth remains a foundation for society?
These are not abstract questions—they demand real action. As 1984 shows, this fight is not just a personal struggle; it is the foundation of a free and ethical world.