DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjahss.2025.v13i07.007

Pages: 171-178

This review critically examines the growing concern that modern civilization is experiencing a profound moral decline driven by excessive focus on material wealth. To explore this issue, we conducted a narrative review of studies published between January 2023 and August 2024. Literature was identified through searches of PubMed, JSTOR, Google Scholar, and sociological databases using keywords such as “moral decline,” “materialism,” “capitalism,” and “workplace exploitation.” The findings reveal that an overemphasis on money correlates strongly with reduced social trust, increasing economic inequality, deteriorating work-life balance, and weakened communal and religious values. Many studies also link this trend to rising mental health problems, relationship instability, and political polarization. While some evidence suggests that the pursuit of economic security can motivate innovation and productivity, the overwhelming focus on profit often undermines empathy and ethical conduct. A comparative analysis shows broad consensus that financial priorities increasingly displace traditional moral frameworks. This review concludes that reversing these trends requires integrated strategies including policy reforms, educational interventions, and cultural revitalization of shared moral principles. Future research should develop standardized metrics to track moral indicators over time and evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at restoring social cohesion and ethical responsibility