March 11, 2014

Time to build a new civilization


Mitsuhei Murata
Former Japanese Ambassador to Switzerland
Executive Director, Japan Society for Global System and Ethics



Introduction

In the midst of the current global crisis, I am reminded of the words of Plato of ancient Greece to the effect that, to better the world, kings should become philosophers; otherwise the unhappiness of humanity will not disappear. Due to the lack of philosophy, the world has lost its ideals.

"The maximum happiness for the greatest number of people," which should be the essential objective of democracy, has been forgotten. Today's materialism is based on greed, which is now threatening the future of mankind and the globe. The deterioration of the environment evidenced by increasingly frequent and destructive natural disasters is one clear example and the global security issue emanating from nuclear reactors is another.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The earth can provide for every one’s need, but not for every one’s greed.” This may explain the problems encountered by globalization.


GDP economics

So-called GDP economics ignores all the important values that cannot be quantified and converted into monetary values, such as culture, tradition, family and social justice. And it makes a major mistake in regarding natural resources as “income” and not as “capital,” which requires preservation. Because of this mistake, economic growth is seriously damaging the environment.


Crisis of civilization

The prevailing supremacy of the economy has eroded the ethics of the present generation, which out of self-interest is building prosperity at the expense of future generations, abusing natural resources. This lack of ethical values is rampant on a global scale. Combined with the absence of a sense of responsibility and justice, this is cause for apprehension about the future of mankind and the globe. This lack of three senses, namely ethics, responsibility and justice, constitutes the sickness of Japan and the world.

The deeply-rooted cause of the crisis confronting mankind is the universally prevalent lack of ethics. It is against fundamental ethics to abuse and exhaust natural resources that belong to future generations and leave behind permanently poisonous waste and enormous financial debts. Nature and resources of the world are being exploited without regard for the consequences.
- The present crisis confronting mankind is a crisis of civilization. We should transform this civilization – the civilization of power based on ‘paternal culture or domination’ – into a civilization of harmony based on ‘maternal culture or cooperation’ that gives the supreme value to life.


A new civilization

.Without establishing global ethics, we cannot create future civilization of mankind that leaves behind the beautiful planet for succeeding generations. 
Based on this understanding, it is time to consider how to create a new civilization, based on ethics and solidarity, respectful of the environment and the interests of future generations. This new civilization must transition from the present material-centered one to a spiritual-centered one. As the late French author and statesman André Malraux said, “The 21st century will be cultural and spiritual, otherwise it will cease to be.”

Here we are reminded of the importance of "contentment." This concept was introduced by Eastern spiritual teachers Buddha and Lao Tzu, but this line of thinking was also advocated in the West by the stoics of ancient Greece, by the Italian artist Michelangelo and by British economist E. F. Schumacher, author of "Small is Beautiful." It thus has universal appeal.

Contentment allows us to maximize happiness by reducing desires, as opposed to the maximization of consumption now being pursued.

This is in line with the teaching advocated by Buddha that happiness equals wealth divided by desire. In this numerical formula, desire is a denominator and wealth a nominator.

How should we proceed toward creating a new civilization that requires three transitions: from materialism to spiritualism, from greed to contentment, and from selfishness to solidarity?

We are confronted by three important tasks: establishing global ethics, forming true leaders, and counterbalancing the supremacy of the economy with culture.


Global Ethics

Concerning global ethics, the widely shared belief in the existence of a supernatural being, or a sense of providence, could be the common ground for those who hold religious beliefs and those who do not. The common ethical standards of major religions and the conscience of civil society could be integrated to constitute a valid basis for the establishment of global ethics. The will of heavens and the earth is my translation of providence. It is the law of history researched by philosophy. Examples are not a few. “The inevitable fall of the arrogant.”  ”Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”　“You cannot deceive everybody forever.” “Good intentions are helped by heaven.” This will has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous civilizations,
and has gone through the test of time.


Global brain

As to the formation of true leaders, capable of serving as a “global brain” to lead the new civilization, the importance of compassion and sensibility should be stressed. The words of Charlie Chaplin in his famous 1940 film, “The Great Dictator,” are impressive: “We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity; more than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness.”

True leaders must be accountable for the future of humankind and the planet Earth. It is essential to nurture in all sectors of society such leaders who are equipped not only with intellect but also with sensibility. Global brain is the term I have created to designate such leaders. Civil society has consequently a greater role to play. It is imperative to foster global brain with vision and ideals, in all sectors. Such global brains are capable of taking into account the future of mankind and the earth.


Cultural exchange

Lastly, let me touch upon the issue of counterbalancing the economy with culture. The concept of economic supremacy has brought about “human exclusion,” observable, for example, in “restructuring” in workplaces. The excessive pursuit of efficiency undermines and ignores human dignity.

The co-existence of diverse cultures and civilizations as well as various religions has become a problem of great challenge for the world. Cultural exchanges could be the key to resolving apparent conflicts. Human happiness cannot be considered without culture. Culture enhances basic ethical values. Cultural exchanges can contribute to creating solidarity. Amidst the prevailing tendency to exclude humanity, the counterattack of culture to restore humanity is badly needed.


Paternal and maternal cultures

In this process, there is an important point to bear in mind. It concerns the striking difference between paternal culture and maternal culture. The former values competition, confrontation and power, whereas the latter attaches importance to harmony, cooperation and compassion for the weak.

In the world of today, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, and paternal culture seems to be predominant. There is a need to strike a balance between the two cultures. The need for balancing and harmonizing the two cultures is being increasingly recognized, as is evidenced by the growing pressure within Islamic societies to promote female values.
History has shown that paternal culture leads to catastrophe. Maternal way of thinking, if not maternal culture itself, is indispensable to secure world peace.
In this respect, I was deeply impressed to see the Chinese character meaning “harmony” depicted by Chinese dancers at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 It was a reminder that maternal culture is widely shared in Asia and the best conserved in Japan. Originally Japan had a maternal culture characterized by harmony and solidarity. After the Meiji Restoration Japan introduced paternal culture characterized by competition and confrontation in military form. History shows that paternal culture leads to catastrophe in the end. Fukushima is a result of supremacy of economy, another form of paternal culture introduced after WW2. It has led to Fukushima.
 Maternal culture of harmony is the remedy for the paternal culture of power.


Conclusion

Japan now has the historical mission to plead for the complete nuclear abolition, both military and civil. It is the lesson of Fukushima.

We must prepare to make the short term sacrifices in our life styles for the long term safety of mankind and the earth without nuclear energy. Natural and renewable energies could constitute the basis for a maternal civilization based on ethics and solidarity that respects the environment and the interests of future generations.

In this spirit, I join in the plea for holding a United Nations Ethics Summit and creating an International Day of Global Ethics as is called upon by WFUCA. I firmly believe that this Summit will pave the way toward the vision of President Obama for the” World without Nuclear Weapons”.
Secretary –General Ban Ki-moon wrote me in his letter dated 2 March, 2013 that he would gladly support it if member-states submit it to the General Assembly.

The trinity of global ethics, maternal civilization and true denuclearization should be pursued. In view of the realities full of difficulties, it is hard to remain hopeful.
However, it is the above-stated will of heavens and the earth, transcending human power that allows us to have hope for the future of humankind and the planet earth.




HOME