Candles in the dark : a new spirit for a plural world / edited by Barbara Sundberg Baudot ; foreword by Vaclav Havel.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Baudot, Barbara Sundberg.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social ethics.

Globalization--Moral and ethical aspects.

Globalization.

Social policy--Moral and ethical aspects.

Social policy.

Progress--Moral and ethical aspects.

Progress.

Physical Description:

xxii, 372 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Manchester, NH : New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College ; Seattle : In association with University of Washington Press, [2002]

Summary:

An international compendium of essays offering ideas for a new approach to international relations and public policy, one imbued with an ethical and spiritually enriched socio-political philosophy that esteems the human spirit and dignity as central values in decision making; seeks links between self-interest and the common good: and introduces, in a practical way, philosophical, spiritual, and cultural perspectives in the political discourse on global political and socio-economic problems. Each contribution is a candle shedding a particular light on challenges of the modern world.

Powerful materialistic forces are leading to the homogenization of human experience on a wholly neo-liberal model that emphasizes the spread of consumerism and aggressive individualism. Sadly, inherent in this vision is the absence of sages, philosophers, theologians, and other intuitive thinkers whose prime vocation has been fathoming the mysteries of life, destiny, and existential continuity. Thomas Odhiambo

With the loss of authority of many religious and moral traditions, the erosion of spirit has been unchecked, with concrete negative consequences for social progress. Holes in the ionosphere, pollution of seas and rivers, death of species -- they signal not simply encroachment on the human environment but far more seriously the loss of spirit that underlies a heedless "self-interest." Allison Phinney

The most intriguing challenge of post-modernity, here conceived as a space for spiritual and normative creativity, is to resurrect "spirituality." That is not necessarily the theistic claims of divinity, but at the very least, the reaffirmation of belief in the mystery of life and the sacred character of the created world, which will only be sustained to the extent that it evokes awe as well as understanding. Richard Falk

To cherish peace and freedom is to experience a sense of responsibility. Generation after generation, people must keep the moral order alive to ensure that the whole story of "Life" will be written. Ruud Lubbers

The contributors represent a wide spectrum of scholarship, practical experience, and cultural histories, faiths and philosophies. Professors in various disciplines as well as practioners in politics, public policy, diplomacy, development and international business, the contributors share a sense of the importance of introducing ethical and spiritual concepts and values into the public discourse on progress and globalization issues.

Contents:

Message from the Secretary General of the United Nations / Kofi A. Annan xviii

The Ethical and Moral Dimension 9

The Spiritual Dimension 12

Part I The Need for a Political Renaissance 19

Chapter 1 Global Ethics in a Plural World / Nitin Desai 27

A Loss of Faith 28

The Need For a Global Ethic 32

The Dialogue of Cultures 37

An Ordered Pluralism 40

Chapter 2 Secularism, Globalization, and the Role of the State: A Plea for Renewal / Richard Falk 47

Points of Departure 47

The Initial West European Embrace of Secularism 52

The Marxist/Leninist Challenge to Liberal Secularism 55

Non-Western Adaptations of Secularism 55

The Relevance of Globalization 57

Is There a Future for the Western Secular State? 60

Toward a Reconstructed Secularism 61

Chapter 3 Rethinking the "Four Freedoms" for the Global Community / Ruud Lubbers 67

The "Four Freedoms" 67

The "Four Freedoms" in World War II 68

The "Four Freedoms" Fifty Years Later 70

The "Four Freedoms" in the Future 73

Values that Sustain the "Four Freedoms" 78

Chapter 4 What Can Be Wrong With Growth? / Peter Marris 83

The Ideology of Economic Growth 83

The Importance of Meaning 87

Attachment and Meaning 89

Attachment and the Ideology of Development 92

Reconciling Attachment and Growth 95

Part II Perspectives from Religious and Philosophical Traditions 99

Chapter 5 Benedictine Spirituality: A Basis for Reevaluating Modern Development Trends / John R. Fortin, O.S.B. 107

Culture of Comfort and the Call to Stewardship 111

Technological Progress and the Abbey Artisans 114

Individual Rights and Living in the Presence of God 117

Chapter 6 Confucian Humanism and the Western Enlightenment / Tu Weiming 123

Chapter 7 Essence and Continuity of Life in the African Society / Thomas Odhiambo 137

Africa's Place in the Evolution of Human Knowledge 139

The Nature of the Supreme Being 143

Human Nature 145

Continuity of Life 147

Nature and Human Destiny 149

Chapter 8 Return of the "Native" / Muhammad Suheyl Umar 157

Chapter 9 Unity Between the Values of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty / Tomonobu Imamichi 165

"Truth" in Greek Philosophy 167

Koto, Object or Situation 170

"Truth" in the Japanese language 171

"Truth"

a State of Perfection 172

Axiological Trinity 174

The Task of Philosophy in the 21st Century 176

Part III Insights from Art, Language and Literature 181

Chapter 10 Towards Noosphere / Vyacheslav Ivanov 187

Chapter 11 Progress: A Tale of Galoshes of Fortune and of a Shoe that Fits / Barbara Sundberg Baudot 205

Why the Shoe Pinches 209

Making the Shoe Fit 215

Chapter 12 Philosophical Reflection on the Path of Art / Noriko Hashimoto 223

The Path of Art

Geido 226

Imitation of the Ideal Technique of the Master 227

Path with Way as Nature 228

Spirit and the Value Transcending Death 230

Chapter 13 The Dynamic Now

A Poet's Counsel / Allison W. Phinney 237

A Poet's Passion and the Human Spirit 238

Pragmatic Effects of the Erosion of Spirit 241

Uprising for the Sake of Humanity 242

"Something ... is Being Born" 246

"On that 'Yes' the World Depends" 248

Part IV Values for a Global Society 253

Chapter 14 The Moral Power of the United Nations / Jacques Baudot 261

Intellectual Rigor 263

Ethical Clarity 266

Political Imagination 270

Chapter 15 Development Reflecting Human Values / Robert E. Gamer 279

Addressing Individual Needs 282

Wisdom in Assessing of Personal Environments 284

Approaches to Personal Environments 286

Rethinking Development Projects 287

Chapter 16 Language and the Human Spirit / Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Birna Arnbjornsdottir 295

The Value of Linguistic and Cultural Diversity 296

Languages Under Threat 302

The Death Process of a Language 304

Language Preservation 305

Chapter 17 Values and Leadership in Managing High Performance Financial Firms / Roy C. Smith, Ingo Walter 313

Ethics and Professional Standards in the Securities Industry 316

Frauds and Deceptions 320

Reasons for Unethical Conduct 324

Adequacy of Laws and Regulations 327

Revisiting Ethical and Professional Values 328

Chapter 18 Principles in the Practice of Diplomacy: A Personal Experience in International Affairs / Giandomenico Picco 333

Rationality's Limits 334

Commitment 336

Credibility and Impartiality 337

Choice and Responsibility 338

Judgment Call 339

Accountability 341

The Human Factor 343

Real Politik 344

An Unbearable Presence: the Enemy 345

Chapter 19 Ethics in Diplomacy: Crises of Conscience and Self-Interest / Princeton N. Lyman 349

The Historical Sweep 351

The Cold War and Superpower Status 353

Three Challenges in Contemporary Diplomacy 357

Facing the Paradox 364.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0295982926

OCLC:

51576699