Transcript Slide 1
The Development of Moral Capabilities
Gordon Naylor
International Environment Forum
11th Annual Conference
The activity most intimately linked to the
consciousness that distinguishes human
nature is the individual's exploration of reality
for himself or herself. The freedom to
investigate the purpose of existence and to
develop the endowments of human nature
that make it achievable requires protection.
Human beings must be free to know. That
such freedom is often abused and such
abuse grossly encouraged by features of
contemporary society does not detract in any
degree from the validity of the impulse itself.
It is this distinguishing impulse of human
consciousness that provides the moral
imperative for the enunciation of many of the
rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration and
the related Covenants. Universal education,
freedom of movement, access to information,
and the opportunity to participate in political life
are all aspects of its operation that require
explicit guarantee by the international
community. The same is true of freedom of
thought and belief, including religious liberty,
along with the right to hold opinions and express
these opinions appropriately.
Since the body of humankind is one and indivisible,
each member of the race is born into the world as a
trust of the whole. This trusteeship constitutes the
moral foundation of most of the other rights -principally economic and social -- which the
instruments of the United Nations are attempting
similarly to define. The security of the family and the
home, the ownership of property, and the right to
privacy are all implied in such a trusteeship. The
obligations on the part of the community extend to the
provision of employment, mental and physical health
care, social security, fair wages, rest and recreation,
and a host of other reasonable expectations on the
part of the individual members of society.
The principle of collective trusteeship creates also the right of
every person to expect that those cultural conditions
essential to his or her identity enjoy the protection of national
and international law. Much like the role played by the gene
pool in the biological life of humankind and its environment,
the immense wealth of cultural diversity achieved over
thousands of years is vital to the social and economic
development of a human race experiencing its collective
coming-of-age. It represents a heritage that must be
permitted to bear its fruit in a global civilization. On the one
hand, cultural expressions need to be protected from
suffocation by the materialistic influences currently holding
sway. On the other, cultures must be enabled to interact with
one another in ever-changing patterns of civilization, free of
manipulation for partisan political ends.
"The light of men", Bahá'u'lláh says, "is
Justice. Quench it not with the contrary
winds of oppression and tyranny. The
purpose of justice is the appearance of
unity among men. The ocean of divine
wisdom surgeth within this exalted
word, while the books of the world
cannot contain its inner significance."
(Baha'i International Community, 1995 Mar 03, The Prosperity of
Humankind)
Moral Framework Elements
1. Orientation of service to the common good
2. The purpose of leadership is personal and
social transformation
3. Twin moral responsibilities to truth
4. Transcendence through vision
5. Belief in the essential nobility of the human
being
6. The development of capabilities
7. Commitment to a world embracing vision
MORAL CAPABILITIES
1. The capability to evaluate one's own strengths and
weaknesses without involving ego.
2. The capability to oppose one's lower passions by
focusing on higher purposes and capabilities.
3. The capability to manage one's affairs and
responsibilities with rectitude of conduct based on
moral and ethical principles.
4. The capability to learn from systematic reflection
upon action within a consistent and evolving
framework.
5. The capability to perceive and interpret the
significance of current events and trends in the light
of an appropriate historical perspective.
6. The capability to think systemically and strategically
in the search for solutions.
7. The capability to form a common vision of a desirable
future based on shared values and principles, and to
articulate this in a concise way that inspires others to
work towards its realization.
AS I
PERCEIVE
MYSELF
AS
OTHERS
PERCEIVE
ME
MORAL CAPABILITIES
8. The capability to imbue one's actions and
thoughts with love.
9. The capability to encourage others and bring
happiness to their hearts.
10. The capability to take initiative in a creative
and disciplined way.
11. The capability to sustain effort, persevere,
and to overcome obstacles.
12. The capability to participate effectively in
consultation.
13. The capability to build unity in diversity.
14. The capability to commit oneself to
empowering educational activities as a
student and as a teacher.
AS I
AS
PERCEIVE OTHERS
MYSELF
PERCEIVE
ME
Religion as the Basis of Civilization and Progress
It is becoming increasingly clear that passage to the
culminating stage in the millennia long process of the
organization of the planet as one home for the entire human
family cannot be accomplished in a spiritual vacuum. Religion,
the Bahá'í Scriptures aver, "is the source of illumination, the
cause of development and the animating impulse of all human
advancement"5 and "has been the basis of all civilization and
progress in the history of mankind."6 It is the source of
meaning and hope for the vast majority of the planet's
inhabitants, and it has a limitless power to inspire sacrifice,
change and long-term commitment in its followers.7 It is,
therefore, inconceivable that a peaceful and prosperous global
society - a society which nourishes a spectacular diversity of
cultures and nations - can be established and sustained
without directly and substantively involving the world's great
religions in its design and support.8
MORAL CAPABILITIES
15. The capability to understand relationships of
domination and contribute to their
transformation into relationships based on
interconnectedness, reciprocity and service.
16. The capability to contribute to the establishment
of justice.
17. The capability to serve in societal institutions so
as to facilitate the expression of the talents of
others who are affected by these institutions
18. The capability to be a responsible and loving
family member, as a child, spouse or parent.
19. The capability to perceive and interpret the
significance of current events and trends in
the light of an appropriate historical
perspective.
AS I
AS
PERCEIVE OTHERS
MYSELF
PERCEIVE
ME