In the linear past we have considered “good
human values” to be qualities and traits that
were imbibed as a 'natural result' of
social interaction, religious teachings, and
traditional family upbringing.
Despite dramatic change in our social structures;
the development of human values was never
considered the responsibility of 'formal education'
in democratic societies.
Civic Behavior and social response was thus
also “liberated” and considered to be an essential
part of the democratization of society, because
'individual freedom became the “measure and
milestone” that established the progress of
democratization'. This remains till today
the 'cornerstone' of democracy.
Modern democratic society has evolved based
on the CHANGED family unit, size, and structure,
which perhaps inadvertently has deprived us
of our traditional sources to imbibe good human
values.
While the younger generation has grown up
without the “old environment” they have been
subjected to an education that has made them
focus on "individual success"
where economics has been the most successful
motivational driver.
THIS CHANGE HAS HELPED CREATE THE MOST
SUCCESSFUL ERA IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND FOR
THOSE LIVING WITHIN A TRUE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
The greatest visible and perceived “loss”
within the stupendous advancement and progress
of society in the last century is the deterioration
in human values.
Non Linear thinking reveals that the 'ERROR
lies within the expectations of those that have
been the managers of democratic societies'.
While the system has created "Economic
freedom" to be the 'key expression'
of democracy, it has continued to assume
that 'basic human values would remain as
traits that are created and maintained by factors
that are NOT economic'.
THERE HAS BEEN AN EMBARASSMENT WITHIN THE
TEACHERS IN OUR MODERN SOCIETY TO ADMIT THAT
ECONOMICS NOW CONTROLS HUMAN VALUES AND IT IS
NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING!!!
THE ADMISSION WOULD HAVE ENABLED TEACHERS
AND MORALISTS TO ASSOCIATE HUMAN VALUES WITH
ECONOMICS AND THEN EVOLVE THE TEACHING!
IF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM AND LAWS HAVE EVOLVED
TO GET COMPLIANCE ONLY IF THERE IS ECONOMIC
PUNISHMENT OR REWARD, THEN THE SAME ASSUMPTION
SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE FOR HUMAN VALUES.Most importantly this should not remain a
"MORAL" issue because it prevents
practical solutions to make corrections.
It may be necessary to reiterate
and emphasize the “Edicts
of NLT”. The erosion of human values are a
non linear situation, specially since there is
no longer, as in the past the “linear link” between
personal progress, income gain and human values.
We must now focus on solutions & not moralize
or pass judgment based on norms. These are
no longer relevant because "within change,
right and wrong are also merely perceptions that
are based on the past”!
WE SHOULD ACCEPT THAT HUMAN
VALUES ARE (or can be) CONTROLLED BY ECONOMICS.