The Development of Moral Capabilities

1. The Development of Moral Capabilities Gordon Naylor International Environment Forum 11th Annual Conference

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. "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)

7. Moral Framework Elements • Orientation of service to the common good • The purpose of leadership is personal and social transformation • Twin moral responsibilities to truth • Transcendence through vision • Belief in the essential nobility of the human being • The development of capabilities • Commitment to a world embracing vision

8. AS I PERCEIVE MYSELF AS OTHERS PERCEIVE ME MORAL CAPABILITIES • The capability to evaluate one's own strengths and weaknesses without involving ego. • The capability to oppose one's lower passions by focusing on higher purposes and capabilities. • The capability to manage one's affairs and responsibilities with rectitude of conduct based on moral and ethical principles. • The capability to learn from systematic reflection upon action within a consistent and evolving framework. • The capability to perceive and interpret the significance of current events and trends in the light of an appropriate historical perspective. • The capability to think systemically and strategically in the search for solutions. • 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.

9. AS I PERCEIVE MYSELF AS OTHERS PERCEIVE ME MORAL CAPABILITIES • The capability to imbue one's actions and thoughts with love. • The capability to encourage others and bring happiness to their hearts. • The capability to take initiative in a creative and disciplined way. • The capability to sustain effort, persevere, and to overcome obstacles. • The capability to participate effectively in consultation. • The capability to build unity in diversity. • The capability to commit oneself to empowering educational activities as a student and as a teacher.

10. 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

11. AS I PERCEIVE MYSELF AS OTHERS PERCEIVE ME 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.