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Honour or '''honor''' (see Spelling Differences ) comprises the Reputation , self-perception or moral Identity of an individual or of a group. defending his honour by obliging to duel Aaron Burr .]] Dr Johnson 's '' Dictionary '' defined ''honour'' in several senses. The first sense described ''honour'' as: :"nobility of soul, magnanimity, and a scorn of meanness." This sort of honour derives from the perceived virtuous conduct of the person endowed with it. On the other hand, Johnson also defined honour in relationship to " Reputation " and " Fame "; to "privileges of rank or birth", and as "respect" of the kind which: :"places an individual socially and determines his right to precedence." This sort of honour is not so much a function of moral or ethical excellence, as it is a consequence of power. Finally, for women, according to Dr Johnson, ''honour'' is synonymous with " Chastity ". HONOUR, SEX, AND VIOLENCE Previously, honour figured largely as a guiding principle of society, functioning as part of a Code Of Honour for a Gentleman and often coming to expression in the practice of Duel ling. One's honour, that of one's wife, of one's (blood-)family or of one's beloved formed an all-important issue: the archetypal "man of honour" remained ever alert for any insult, actual or suspected: for either would impugn his honour. The concept of honour appears to have declined in importance in the modern secular West . Popular Stereotype s would have it surviving more definitively in alleged "hot-blooded" Mediterranean cultures ( Italia n, Persian , Arab , Iberian ...) or in more "gentlemanly" societies (like the "Old South" of Dixie ). Feudal or other agrarian societies, focused upon land use and land ownership, may tend to honour "honour" more than do deracinated industrial societies. Traces of the importance attached to honour linger in the military (officers may conduct a Court Of Honour ) and in organisations with military echoes, such as Scouting . "Honour" in the case of females is frequently related, historically, to of unattached women and to the exclusive Monogamy of the remainder. One can speculate that Feminism has changed some linguistic usage in this respect. Conceptions of honour vary widely between cultures; in some cultures, Honour Killing s of (mostly female) members of one's own family are considered justified if they have "defiled the family's honour" by marrying against one's wishes, or even by being the victims of Rape . These honour killings are generally seen in the West as a way of men using the culture of honour to control female sexuality.(E.G.:murder {Link without Title} ) Cultures of honour and cultures of law One can contrast Culture s of honour with cultures of Law . In a culture of law there is a body of laws which must be obeyed by all, with punishments for transgressors. This requires a more advanced society, with the structures required to enact and enforce laws. A culture of law incorporates an unwritten social contract: members of society agree to give up most of their rights to defend themselves and retaliate for injuries, on the understanding that transgressors will be apprehended and punished by society. From the viewpoint of Anthropology , cultures of honour typically appear among Nomad ic peoples and herdsmen who carry their most valuable Property with them and risk having it stolen, without having recourse to Law Enforcement or Government . In this situation, inspiring fear forms a better strategy than promoting friendship; and cultivating a reputation for swift and disproportionate Revenge increases the safety of one's person and property. Thinkers ranging from Montesquieu to Steven Pinker have remarked upon the mindset needed for a culture of honour. Cultures of honour therefore appear amongst Bedouin s, Scottish and English herdsmen of the Border Country , and many similar peoples, who have little allegiance to a Nation al Government ; among Cowboy s, Frontier smen, and Ranch ers of the American West , where official law-enforcement often remained out of reach, as is famously celebrated in Western s; among the plantation culture of the American South , and among Aristocrat s, who enjoy Hereditary Privilege s that put them beyond the reach of codes of law. Cultures of honour also flourish in Criminal underworlds and Gang s, whose members carry large amounts of Cash and Contraband and cannot complain to the law if it is stolen. Once a culture of honour exists, it is difficult for its members to make the transition to a culture of law; this requires that people become willing to back down and refuse to immediately retaliate, and from the viewpoint of the culture of honour, this tends to appear to be an unwise act reflecting weakness. Related concepts In contemporary International Relations , the concept of "credibility" resembles that of honour, as when the credibility of a state or of an alliance appears to be at stake, and honour-bound politicians call for drastic measures. Compare the concepts of Integrity , Face (social Custom) in Stereotype d Oriental cultures, or of Mana in Polynesia n society. For the Oriental, there are a few words more to say. First of all, in Eastern lands, such as Japan, honour was always seen as an almost-duty (by Samurai, but also the normal people). When you lost your honour or the situation made you lose it, there was only one way, if you wanted to save your dignity: the death. Seppuku (vulgarly called " Harakiri ," or "belly-cutting") was the most honourable death in that situation. The only way for a Samurai to die more honourably was to be killed in a battle, by a sword. But still now, the people in Japan or Tahiti, for example, hold on to their dignity and don't want their honour to be lost. As it was important for the Samurai or wives of dead Samurai, who were forced to marry another in the earlier times, it now is important to all people, who practice martial arts. Yet, there are others, who still stick to old Eastern worths, even in Western world. For a similar concept with many connotations opposite to honour, see Shame . Quotations
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HONOURS AND AWARDS In many countries the term honour can refer to an award given by the State . Such honours include military Medal s, but more typically imply a civilian award, such as a British OBE , a Knighthood or membership of the French Légion D'honneur . See also, List Of Prizes, Medals, And Awards . FEUDAL HONOURS In medieval England , an honour could consist of a great lordship, comprised of dozens or hundreds of Manor s. Holders of honours (and the kings to whom they reverted by Escheat ) often attempted to preserve the integrity of an honour over time, administering its properties as a unit, maintaining inheritances together, etc. The typical honour had properties scattered over several Shire s, intermingled with the properties of others. Usually, though, a more concentrated cluster existed somewhere. Here would lie the ''caput'' (head) of the honour, with a castle that gave its name to the honour and served as its administrative headquarters. A lordship could consist of anything from a field or two to vast territories all over England. Thus the designation ''honour'' can distinguish the large lordship from the small. The term has particular usefulness for the eleventh and twelfth centuries, before the development of an extensive Peerage hierarchy. Traditional property-based honours in medieval England included:
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