The Development of Moral Capabilities

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The Development of Moral Capabilities Gordon
Naylor International Environment Forum 11th
Annual Conference
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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)
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• 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

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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.

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AS I PERCEIVE MYSELF
AS OTHERS PERCEIVE ME
MORAL CAPABILITIES

1. The capability to imbue one's actions and
   thoughts with love.
2. The capability to encourage others and bring
   happiness to their hearts.
3. The capability to take initiative in a creative
   and disciplined way.
4. The capability to sustain effort, persevere, and
   to overcome obstacles.
5. The capability to participate effectively in
   consultation.
6. The capability to build unity in diversity.
7. The capability to commit oneself to empowering
   educational activities as a student and as a
   teacher.

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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
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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.