Whither morality?

The above paraphrases the first question posed to former politician (Isamaa party) and present professor of semiotics and literary theory at the Tallinn University, Mihhail Lotman, by Kristjan Pihl, starting off the hour-long “Friday interview” aired on Vikerraadio on September 1st. ERR, Estonia’s national broadcaster, posted both the audio and text of this important conversation on their site, with the title of Lotman: Eesti moraalsesse kompassi on tekkinud vastik mõra. Translated: The moral compass of Estonia has developed an abhorrent (or nasty) crack. It can be found here.

This is a very important viewpoint to adhere to when focusing on the political scandal resulting from the revelations that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ husband Arvo Hallik has a large share in a company that has been continuing doing business with Russia during the aggressive war against Ukraine. This, even though Kallas has been a most vocal supporter of economic sanctions as means to weakening Russia’s strength. Kaja Kallas, as of writing, has refused to resign. Lotman emphasizes, even though he ran for Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, in this year’s election (he failed to gain the necessary votes, but had been elected to the previous assembly) that he is awfully glad that he is no longer a politician, for what is taking place in the Riigikogu is very often in conflict with his moral compass.