What is the force behind our values?
What makes a successful business graduate, driven by dreams of a lucrative position in the international tourism and hospitality industry, finally opt to commit his life to an activist role as a Law Researcher, helping others pro Bono in the pursuit of justice and human rights? It’s my supposition that it comes down to values.
Disadvantage
Maintaining the rule of law is ideally the basis of order and just conduct according to societal values. But it is impaired if every person cannot access it. Although A statute in English law states “we sell to no man, we will not deny or defer to any man either justice or right,” Britain’s justice system has been in crisis for some time.
In recognition Lord Chief Justice Thomas of Cwmgiedd, stated that, “our justice system has become unaffordable to most”. A report in2017 by The Batch Commission on Access to Justice, asks “what’s wrong with the justice system? In a review of fundamental areas, several issues were found.
Courts and legal advice centres are closing down, while fees for courts and tribunals continue to rise preventing people from pursuing legal claims. The scope of legal aid has suffered deep cutbacks, and there has been a huge decrease in the numbers of people who are eligible for legal aid. Most cases involving housing, welfare, debt, immigration, medical negligence and family law are no longer a priority. In addition the excessive Bureaucracy in the Legal Aid Agency is costly and time-consuming which is adversely affecting its efficiency.
Furthermore, legal education and legal advice are inadequate and disjointed. For example, the number of not-for-profit legal advice centres fell from around 3,226 in 2005 to 1,462 by 2015. The services that do exist are not effectively integrated.
Moreover, problems are exacerbated with a failure to update the archaic technologies in use With technological innovation.. These findings reinforce a clear indication of economical inequality, but let’s not forget other contemporary and impactful barriers such as Social, physical, and racial inequality alike. An absolute contradiction in terms of conventional societal values.
Belief
Our personal values are core beliefs that act as motivators or guidelines directing our behaviour and judgment of any concept or circumstance. They are developed throughout our lives, varying from person to person, influenced by experiences, friends, family, and our wider communities. These personal ideals form our attitude in terms of how we decipher levels of importance and how we prioritise. This of course shapes our conduct in how we treat ourselves and others in our assessment of what is correct or incorrect. By age ??, Victorio’s opinion of how people should treat each other was a formation of all that he had experienced and observed by that stage. At this point. the beliefs that he held resonated strongly with those of Buddhism. Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana, The Basic Teachings of Buddha which are core to Buddhism are: The Three Universal Truths; The Four Noble Truths; and • The Noble Eightfold Path. The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. The precepts are commitments to abstain from killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Within the Buddhist doctrine, they are meant to develop mind and character to make progress on the path to enlightenment. Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.
Reasoning
Victorio Leaf came to Britain from Italy seeking a successful career in business via further education. His view of success at the time was reflective of modern cultural values. To obtain a corporate position and gain wealth, is accepted as a significant accomplishment in today’s western society. Victorio shared these values with many, however they are not indicative of his morals. The two mustn’t be confused. Moras are directly concerned with right and wrong behaviour. Our morals are governed by our ethics philosophy.
This is concerned with our actions, and the choice of those actions. Ethics evaluates those actions, and the values that underlie them. It determines which values should be pursued, and which shouldn’t.
Ethics systemises, defends and recommends ethical behaviour.
There is indication that these are developed from early childhood.
Consider Martin Luther King whose father was A Baptist minister, directing his children’s moral and religious education. It is said that from the time that he was born, Martin Luther King Junior knew that black people and white people had different rights in certain parts America! Imagine the impact on his young mind and how his morals developed as he grew into an adult.
Even as a young child, Victorio recounts getting into conflicts with bullies whilst defending “smaller children or stray puppies” in the street. This tendency to stand up for who Victorio describes as “the week”is a clear demonstration of his morals in his youth, but as an adult Victorio States that he witnessed many occasions of inequity and though he may have felt strongly,, he did not act due to feelings of trepidation. It is common to experience this type of values conflict. For example in a scenario where a known villain is attacked.
Those whose values lean more toward peace will believe that more harm will be done in general and so will be inclined to call the authority to end the violence where is those whose values lean more towards justice will believe that more harm will be done if the villain does not receive such ‘rightful punishment’ and so will not call for help at all. It is not impossible though for one individual to share both sets of values and be conflicted in such a situation. Imagine such plot twist scenarios occurring over and again in various ways. It must only be a matter of time before one is faced with a plot twist scenario where a choice must be made one way or another. This was evidently Victorio‘s experience. In addition though, he spoke openly about the loss of his wife, his mother, and his home, expressing that “empathy for each other grows from suffering”.
If he were to eclogue what he was feeling throughout all of this loss, he may have identified the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. These stages occur in no specific order but can actually result in re-evaluation of beliefs, with positive outcomes such as:
- acceptance of things That can’t changed.
- Maturity
- Responsibllity
- Appreciation of whom /what has gone
- Appreciation for own life.
- I am toomake the most of every day.
- A new understanding of The individuals’/aspect’s place in my life.
- A clearer understanding of others.
Victorio eventually with considered reasoning, turned to Buddhism at a moment that he had considered ending his life. It is fair to say that (Alongside his strength), values that he held from childhood were continually tested in several ways,until the moment that he had to make a decision that would change his life forever.
Conformance
A like-minded inclination, or act of adapting beliefs perceptions, , and behaviors to group norms, (Conscious or unconscious),is described as conformity. These norms are specific and implicit rules that guide the general interactions of a group of individuals and affects human beings of all ages.
Because it can be easier to follow a trail others have previously made , rather than forging a new one, people often choose to conform to society rather than to pursue personal desires. Conformity can though occur on all levels/scales from an individual to society at large, and can be due to a predisposed state of mind, direct and overt social pressure or subtle unconscious influences. Two main reasons however, are informational influence born of a belief that a group is better informed and normative influence born of a fear of rejection.
Virtue
Regardless of conformance,It’s my supposition that our survival values, (based on an instinctive needs to exist) will almost always take precedent in our decisions. But beyond that, at this stage of human civilisation, the more virtuous values would appear to be more often in favour. Take for instance the principle of the ‘golden rule’; “treating others as one wants to be treated”. It is a general rule of conduct that is found in most religions and cultures. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity.
An age old value viewed as effectual and congruent to many belief systems around the world. Yet a construct of simpler times. However, with familiar terms of today like diversity and individualism, comes a growing trend of acceptance of personal uniqueness. In which case, how can one assume that we all desire the same treatment? I suggest that the golden rule is flawed, and that a more congruous value would be ‘ to treat one another with mutual respect and compassion’. It maywell require added thoughtfulness and consideration-but isn’t that symptomatic of today’s more tolerant ethics?
Conviction
Remember the words of civil rights leader Martin Luther King:
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.“
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”
Martin Luther King jr
These quotes convey the values equality, service, love and selflessness, thus the ethics, demonstrated in Dr Kung’s actions.
He fought for equal rights for people of all races and skin colors. He led the African American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s. He worked to end segregation—the separation of black people from white people in schools, restaurants, and other public places in the United States.
Though Dr. King’s father came from humble beginnings, he himself was born and raised in an Atlanta neighbourhood where black-owned businesses thrived and black churches were places of joy and expression. In a part of the busy and lively city where African Americans forged strong community bonds.
Being raised as a Baptist Christian, in a well known activist family. Dr King’s childhood was a normal happy upbringing. He and his siblings were also guided by the spiritual teachings from their grandfmother. But the family was soon schooled on the harsh reality of the racial segregation of the south. Regardless though, the values that he stood for remained in line with the teachings of the bible.
Mr Leaf, on the other hand, became a practicing Buddhist as an experienced adult and the values that he stands for relate to the zen philosophy. It is likely that his values support his work helping others contending with the challenges of the Untied Kingdom legal system.
Final thought
Disproportionate opportunity and disparity can be found in different places internationally, exhibiting a global deficit in fair ethics. Though societal values reflect virtuous belief systems, it remains apparent that all human beings are not treated equally. The observation and experience of this divergent standard has given rise to an awareness and sense of responsibility amongst individuals pursuing what they believe is right in civilisation today. This charitable behaviour remains part of the human condition regardless of the conduct of society at large. Indicating that the law of the land does not necessarily dictate our values fundamentally.
Drawing a parallel between the two, these are men of faith with strong beliefs that drive there causes.
Even at the risk of social rejection. A clear unwillingness to conform is demonstrated In their respective approaches.It is my hypothesis that their extrinsic ethics may well have been influenced by varying factors in early life, but that it was inevitable that they would be drawn to people environments and experiences which are in harmony with their own intrinsic values. These values though, can be suppressed, ignored or even forgotten if external influences are strong enough. But ultimately, the awareness of our core values can be triggered into our consciousness at any point in our lives weather experiencing a one off adverse event, or ongoing adversity. When discussing the paradox of suffering and awakening, Ekhart Tolle says “if we have not suffered we would not find transformation.”
At which point we have the option to become true to ourselves and pursue our own desired results or idea of the future that we personally envision and commit to achieve.
These two gentlemen came to their causes in very different ways, but the values that they each hold, are essential to the ethics philosophy’s which underpinned their own inspiring goals.
I guess that on the basis provided by their ethics,they determined the best actions to take and the best way to live. Irrespective of external influences such as family society et cetera, they ultimately chose their natural paths, in alignment with who they actually are.
With that said, it would appear to me that the force behind our values (Our personal lighthouses illuminating the way forward),is actually our own drive for fulfilment whatever we deem that to be, and however we view it’s success. The ultimate essence of self.
Images by Truthseeker08 And JohnHain via Pixabay
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12206275/
https://www.fabians.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Access-to-Justice_final_web.pdf