Human conviction reasons that change is continuous and that humankind is capable of an understanding which is rooted in context and conscience. Both change and understanding are located within an inclusive historical process and when its context and conscience interplays with one another, it is capable of churning an energy which is responsible for perpetually causing the development of humankind. Yet, history has also informed us that this has not been the experience!
The idea that progression means moving from a lower to a higher state of being has been problematic in human history and is derived from an old Euro-centric view of life. It is marked by a dichotomy in the same way that it has been responsible for dividing humankind into two perceptual categories – the individual and the State, by negating all other forms of human life and human organization. The exclusive dualistic understanding of humankind is contrary to the non-European worldview.
Indigenous experience suggests that the Euro-centric dualism is not rooted in their context and conscience and therefore in essence pits humans in opposition to nature, and in effect, the survival of the strongest. Would it therefore be fair to say that Euro-centric understanding of humankind pits humans against humans in which only the strongest survive? Can one therefore conclude that as a result, change is no longer a continued process, but has resulted in inducing situations in which the interests of the strong prevails?
Such faultline in human experience and empirical knowledge does raise the fundamental question, is the Euro-centric dualistic perception of humankind an erroneous illusion that has done more damage than good? This directly challenges the notion of progress which centers on materialistic progression in which the lower must succumb to make way for the higher. Appalling sacrifices have been made for such relentless materialistic progress, trampling over everything in its way and justifying all the sacrifices made in the name of progress, which is driven by the idea that only the strongest survive and hence the end justifies the means.
Subsequently, humankind is reduced to objects of history and systems that suppress are upheld and legitimized in the name of progress. Tragically, only those capable for producing and consuming are seen as potential resources for use, but if they show signs of resistance, they like those that challenge the status quo are seen as hindrance to materialistic progress and are alienated and marginalized in a sophisticated way. Ironically, these systems that perpetuate structural oppression and push people to the margins are what stand in the way of human development.
The race for material progression has been detrimental to the cause of human development and has had devastating consequences on indigenous people. It has caused instability by destroying the power of culture and creating in its place a culture of power that alienates people from their roots, causing despair and poverty. At a time when conscience is replaced by arrogance and collective survival is reduced to a race for power, it is fair to say that the credibility and integrity of the modern culture is at stake, like never before. How then can it speak with authority for justice and peace?
Every culture, every nation, every people is responsible for what they have made familiar. The truth has been its most tragic casualty and everything else is seen and interpreted with its head and not its heart. In making invisible all that it does not wish to see, it eventually limits understanding, thereby contradicting the human conviction that humans are indeed capable of an understanding rooted in context and conscience. This limitation reduces change as a continuous process to a series of disconnected events that is unable to offer a life giving pathway.
In essence, rather than leading towards a positive and healthy direction of human development, it takes small insecure steps, afraid of its own shadow, which has resulted in a disorientation that has usurped common sense. Perhaps it is time to reflect and discern upon not just other cultures, but also one’s own culture and honestly identify what the heart is saying. It is reassuring to know that when knowledge and wisdom listens intensely to the heart, it will reorient itself to the truth and upon discovering the realities, the human mind will once again be persuaded to do justice.
The idea that progression means moving from a lower to a higher state of being has been problematic in human history and is derived from an old Euro-centric view of life. It is marked by a dichotomy in the same way that it has been responsible for dividing humankind into two perceptual categories – the individual and the State, by negating all other forms of human life and human organization. The exclusive dualistic understanding of humankind is contrary to the non-European worldview.
Indigenous experience suggests that the Euro-centric dualism is not rooted in their context and conscience and therefore in essence pits humans in opposition to nature, and in effect, the survival of the strongest. Would it therefore be fair to say that Euro-centric understanding of humankind pits humans against humans in which only the strongest survive? Can one therefore conclude that as a result, change is no longer a continued process, but has resulted in inducing situations in which the interests of the strong prevails?
Such faultline in human experience and empirical knowledge does raise the fundamental question, is the Euro-centric dualistic perception of humankind an erroneous illusion that has done more damage than good? This directly challenges the notion of progress which centers on materialistic progression in which the lower must succumb to make way for the higher. Appalling sacrifices have been made for such relentless materialistic progress, trampling over everything in its way and justifying all the sacrifices made in the name of progress, which is driven by the idea that only the strongest survive and hence the end justifies the means.
Subsequently, humankind is reduced to objects of history and systems that suppress are upheld and legitimized in the name of progress. Tragically, only those capable for producing and consuming are seen as potential resources for use, but if they show signs of resistance, they like those that challenge the status quo are seen as hindrance to materialistic progress and are alienated and marginalized in a sophisticated way. Ironically, these systems that perpetuate structural oppression and push people to the margins are what stand in the way of human development.
The race for material progression has been detrimental to the cause of human development and has had devastating consequences on indigenous people. It has caused instability by destroying the power of culture and creating in its place a culture of power that alienates people from their roots, causing despair and poverty. At a time when conscience is replaced by arrogance and collective survival is reduced to a race for power, it is fair to say that the credibility and integrity of the modern culture is at stake, like never before. How then can it speak with authority for justice and peace?
Every culture, every nation, every people is responsible for what they have made familiar. The truth has been its most tragic casualty and everything else is seen and interpreted with its head and not its heart. In making invisible all that it does not wish to see, it eventually limits understanding, thereby contradicting the human conviction that humans are indeed capable of an understanding rooted in context and conscience. This limitation reduces change as a continuous process to a series of disconnected events that is unable to offer a life giving pathway.
In essence, rather than leading towards a positive and healthy direction of human development, it takes small insecure steps, afraid of its own shadow, which has resulted in a disorientation that has usurped common sense. Perhaps it is time to reflect and discern upon not just other cultures, but also one’s own culture and honestly identify what the heart is saying. It is reassuring to know that when knowledge and wisdom listens intensely to the heart, it will reorient itself to the truth and upon discovering the realities, the human mind will once again be persuaded to do justice.