8.0.3.2 Convergence of Values

Version 1.1 August 2014                                    (Previous Version)

We have adopted core values based on our understanding of the nature of reality.  Most of us no longer follow apparently arbitrary rules supposedly sourced from supernatural deities.  Although some religious fanatics and nationalists still hold to extreme views and destructive values, many organisations – for profit and not-for profit – are declaring values that are consistent with those we have adopted.  We can illustrate this with a few examples, from religion, politics, a not-for-profit organisation and a large multinational corporation.

Example 8.0.3.2.1: Religious Values

In Chapter 4, where we discuss the world’s major traditional religions, we learn of their similarities as much as of their differences. 

●  It is now generally accepted that all of the world’s major religions have a version of the “Golden Ruleâ€�: do unto others as you would have others do unto you. 

●  They all also have rules that advocate

o       telling the truth; not stealing;

o       respecting our elders or teachers;

o       limiting the circumstances in which it is OK to kill other people;

o       focussing on what really matters rather than on material possessions.

●  As well as these obvious similarities, the major substantial differences between religions are being diminished or minimised, at least by certain leaders of each religion. 

o       Liberals amongst Jews, Christians and Muslims are likely to take their sacred texts as allegories rather than the literal truth, to focus on an immanent, less personal god, rather than a supernaturally transcendent vengeful god, to support universal human rights and to allow for moral decisions to be human centred rather than god centred.

o       As the more mystical traditions in the major religions become better known by those from other faiths, the rituals, songs and poetry are seen to be more interchangeable than in the past.  A modern Christian can quote the Muslim Sufi poet Rumi with approval.

o       Liberal leaders from all major religions condemn racism and sexism, accept homosexuality as a valid life choice, and oppose unfair commercial exploitation.

●  Following the exposure of child abuse and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, we are discovering systematic abuse amongst other Christian denominations, Jewish and Muslim communities, Buddhist monasteries and other non-religious organisations. 

o       These have forced religious leaders to (at least publicly) express convergent views on the rights of the child and the legitimacy, and indeed the de facto moral supremacy, of secular authorities such as the police and legal systems. 

o       The now publicly accepted position is that if child sexual abuse has occurred within a religious institution then it is appropriate for the police to be called and the matter to be dealt with by the state as the more independent arbiter of what is right and just.

●  While we see these trends and applaud them, we remain fully conscious of the destructive and divisive power of believers from the other end of the religious spectrum – the fanatics who are totally certain of their position and who oppose pluralism and tolerance, and at their worst advocate violence against women and the people they classify as non-believers.

Example 8.0.3.2.2: Political Values

In the past, European countries, like all the others in the world, made war against each other to control resources, increase the wealth and power of their rulers, and to promote their religions. 

●  For centuries, there were religious wars between Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians, between the colonial powers for control of other regions of the world and within Europe itself, culminating in the First and Second World Wars. 

●  After WW II three changes show evidence of a convergence in values towards human rights:

o       The leading nations of the world created the United Nations (UN) and accepted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Over time more treaties have been created which further the rights, especially, of women and children.

o       The major European protagonists in WW II, particularly France and Germany, in a concerted attempt to prevent a repeat of the devastation in Europe (leaving aside the rest of the world) began work on creating the European Union (EU), with its own charter of human rights, enforceable by law within the EU.

o       The pace of decolonisation increased as India, Indo-China, the Middle East and many African nations obtained independence, though for some only after protracted struggles.

●  The end of WW II also sparked another major change that initially impeded the global progress towards human rights, but as it unfolded there seemed to be another chance.

o       The Cold War, between the capitalist West, led by the USA and the two communist empires, dominated by Russia (the USSR) and China, impeded progress on human rights globally, for several decades, as they oppressed their own peoples and those of their satellite countries, encouraged proxy wars and limited progress at the UN. 

o       After the collapse of the USSR and the capitalistic economic reforms in China in the 1980s there was an opportunity to further expand human rights, but both Russia and China failed to progress into true democratic pluralism.

●  Now the Muslim world is being enmeshed in wars that are ostensibly religiously based, but have their roots in the imperialism of the Ottoman empire and Western Europe colonialism.

o       Peoples of the middle east were oppressed by the Ottoman empire, then by the western powers that carved up that empire after World War I, then by the kings and tyrants installed or supported by the West seeking their oil, all complicated by arbitrary national borders.

o       Fanatical groups such as Al Qaeda attack the West bringing on devastating retaliation.

o       Oppressed people in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt overthrew tyrants but the latter two descended into tribal warfare or back to tyranny before stable democracy could take hold.

o       Sunni and Shi states and their proxy militia groups continue to fight each other and oppress other minorities, such as the Manicheans and Yazidis.

o       The West, led by the USA, and its non-western supplicants, blatantly breached human rights in its treatment of supposed “unlawful enemy combatantsâ€�, humiliating and torturing people in prisons, rendering prisoners to other countries for torture, and unlawful assassinations by remote controlled drones

o       Western countries have also restricted and abused their own citizens, with draconian anti-terrorist legislation, often illegal, intrusive spying, and demonization of refugees.

 

●  So while certain historical developments, such as the creation of the UN and its agencies, the creation of the EU, and the end of the Cold War, can be seen as positive developments, tending towards a convergence of values, other circumstances, such as human rights abuses in Russia, China, the Middle East and the West, counter that trend. 

●  Though real progress on the ground is slow and disjointed, overall, the conversation has changed: all major political parties talk in terms of human rights. 

o       Russia denies it commits human rights abuses;

o       China discusses its progress with human rights in diplomatic circles, and criticises Western countries for their breaches;

o       The West proclaims their draconian anti-terrorist laws are there to defend human rights.

o       All the warring parties in the Muslim world are criticised for their human rights abuses.

●  So without being blind to the negative trends we can see a long term global convergence to using human rights as at least the standard by which behaviour is to be judged, even if the standard is often breached.  The gradual introduction of international law, and such institutions as the International Criminal Court (despite opposition from the USA), gives cause for hope that the required enforcement may back up the public espousal of human rights.

Example 8.0.3.2.3: Garvan Institute

A small example of ‘convergence’ in values is the Garvan Institute.  This is a medical research institution based in Sydney Australia.  In a fund raising pamphlet it declares its values to be:

Excellence, Justice, Dignity, Compassion and Unity. 

There is no explanation of these values in the pamphlet – and they can't be found on the Institute’s web site.  But we can compare them to the core values of our reasonable global way:

Excellence:          Implied in our core values of Truth and Diversity.  Excellence is very much an action based value, just as our core values reflect our core choices.

Justice:                 1. Implied in our core value of Responsibility.  We assign responsibility where intervention may be potentially effective in changing behaviour.  The legal system creates law that defines inappropriate behaviour and applies penalties when the law is breached: this is justice.

                            2. Implied also in our core value of Equality.  It is unfair – unjust – for people to be treated inequitably, to have unequal access to basic rights.

Dignity:               Implied by our core values of Equality and Love (Compassion) and Diversity .

Compassion:        Identical to our core value of Love.

Unity:                  Allowing for diversity generates a kind of unity.  Unity is consistent with Equality and Love (or Compassion).

So the Garvan Institute’s values are restatements of our core values of Truth, Diversity, Love (or Compassion), Responsibility and Equality.

The Garvan Institute’s values do not include beauty: it's into medical research, not art.

The Garvan Institute surely do value Life and Hope, the remaining of our core values, but don't say so.  Perhaps these values are all too obvious for a medical research group.  Their whole purpose is to promote life and make it more fulfilling, to give people hope of medical cures.  Their core function is founded on the justified hope that it will improve our medical treatment.

Many not-for-profit organisations have undergone a similar ‘strategic planning’ exercise to determine their so called vision, mission and values, and most will be compatible with this Way.

Example 8.0.3.2.4: BHP Billiton

BHP Billiton is one of the largest resource companies in the world.  We may be cynical about their motives for expressing these values, and dubious of their implementation.  But this is what they say on their web site (our formatting, our comments in italics) (http://www.bhpbilliton.com/home/investors/reports/Documents/2012/BHPBillitonSummaryReview2012.pdf):

We are BHP Billiton, a leading global resources company.  Our purpose is to create long-term shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition, development and marketing of natural resources.  Our strategy is to own and operate large, long-life, low-cost, expandable, upstream assets diversified by commodity, geography and market.

Our Values

Sustainability Putting health and safety first, being environmentally responsible and supporting our communities.

These all value Life, and they all require Truth (in analysis), Love (Compassion), Responsibility, and Equality.

Integrity:        Doing what is right and doing what we say we will do.

Doing what is right requires Truth and Compassion and Responsibility.  Being honest – doing what we say – is a variation of our core value of Truth.

Respect:        Embracing openness, trust, teamwork, diversity and mutually beneficial relationships.

Openness and trust are aspects of telling the Truth.  Teamwork is an effecting strategy.  Diversity is one of our core values.  Mutually beneficial relationships are an aspect of Equality and Responsibility.

Performance: Achieving superior business results by stretching our capabilities.

This is an effecting value, not a core value to the general public.  To a business, encouraging employees to strive is central to success.  Of course, it must not go to exploitation, and BHP’s  values are silent on that issue.

Simplicity      Focusing our efforts on the things that matter most.

A correct focus requires the Truth.  Simplicity is an effecting value, not a core value to the general public.  But to a business, efficiently attending to what matters most, is central.  It is Responsible to avoid wasted effort;  The more efficient production of goods and services promotes prosperity.  It is not the company’s role to focus on distributive Equality in the wider world.  This is consistent with the values of our reasonable way.

Accountability:  Defining and accepting responsibility and delivering on our commitments

This is a variation of our core value of Responsibility.  Delivering on commitments requires speaking the Truth,