Introduction to Philosophy/Resources For Editing
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Contents |
[edit] Part I - The Nature of Philosophy
- Origins of Philosophy
- What is Philosophy
- The Branches of Philosophy
- What is meant by "Doing Philosophy?"
[edit] Part II - Metaphysics
- What is Metaphysics?
- What is a Person?
- What is Buddhist Philosophy?
[edit] Part III - Epistemology
- What is Epistemology?
- Rationalism
- Empiricism
- Pragmatism
[edit] Part IV - Logic
- Logic
[edit] Part V - Ethics
- What are Ethics?
- What is a Person?
- Virtue and value-Ethics
- Deontology
- Utilitarianism
- Existentialism
- Zen Buddhism
- Transcendentalist Theology Transcendentalism
[edit] Part VI - Aesthetics
- Aesthetics
[edit] Part VII - Political Philosophy
- What is Political Philosophy?
- The Political Spectrum
- Ancient Political Philosophy
- Middles Ages Political Philosophy
- Social Contract
- Marx and Marxists
- Liberalism
- Communitarianism
- Conservativism
- Anarchism
- Post-Politics
- Theocracies
POLITICAL DISTURBANCES AND CORRUPTION
Yogiraj Vethathiri Maharishi
Much of the behaviour of living beings is inherited according to their physical structure,
climate and environmental conditions. The human species is endowed with natural instinct to live in groups. The mind and body are designed with such sophistication to create and use tools, machines, instruments and vehicles to increase the capabilities of the limbs and senses. Man can produce varieties of foods, commodities and articles to enhance the comforts of his life and distribute them to fellow beings who live in any region of the globe. Therefore protection, security and international friendship and relations have become imperative for humanity. To answer this need a social administration had come into being in primitive ages. Over a long period of experiences our present day governments have come into being by cooperative efforts. A combination of elected and appointed persons comprise the government. As every individual is involved with many needs, activities and relationships in society, nobody can live today without government. Over the years every society has established its own form of government and framed rules and regulations to protect and control the people. Demarcations were drawn on the earth to indicate the extent of a sovereign territory; the first exclusive territory demarcation was a village. By amalgamation of villages, districts and states, countries came into being, often separated by geographical markers such as mountains, rivers, etc.
So, in the present period the government has become extremely important and influential in every
aspect of human life. The members of the government are highly respected, admired and expected to
wisely protect and help the people in all spheres. Every government official is responsible to the people of the society for fulfilling their needs, and providing facilities and comforts from birth to
death. Nowadays, in actuality, the government administrators and politicians themselves have become
great problems to the society in several countries, rather than a valuable asset for human life. However, we cannot blame the individual administrators and politicians for this deterioration; we must remember the fact that "as water finds its level, the culture of the people finds its own method
of government". There is a disappointingly wide gap between the anticipated moral behaviour and the
actual deeds of politicians as well as government servants. Every character weakness of the member of
a government, such as egotism, greed, anger, or vengeance will have a strong negative effect and
wide repercussions on the society, directly and indirectly. Suppose a politician or a civil servant is egotistical. He will not give due respect to the people, humiliating and insulting them as per his
whim and fancy. If the man is greedy, he will swindle the public money which is allotted for various projects to benefit the society. If he is angry and vengeful he will torture others who question his behaviour or compete with him. Through all this he is protected by the power of his position. Such
character defects have led to manifold disturbances and corruption in the present governments. It is a pressing need of the hour to find a way to improve the governments, eliminating such disturbances and corruption which are a sinful waste of energy and disturb the peace and prosperity of human life.
It is not easy to change the political morality. The whole set-up of the human society should be
studies, planned and changed. This project should begin from child rearing and extend through reform
in the educational system. Each person should grow up to be creative and dutiful to the society,
with self confidence and courage.
Even for appointing a simple clerk for an office, certain accredited qualifications are insisted
and verified. But for anyone standing for election, no qualification is prescribed-convicted
criminals and those facing criminal charges are eligible and even accepted! What would be the values of such a political administration? What kind of laws would they frame? How can society hope for a moral, honest and effective government? We can list out the government's failings and irregularities,
but it is not easy to implement a change in a short period of days or months, because it is a
question of changing the entire character of the people in office. It will take several years. Let us
begin a reformation project, as per the guidelines: "stop, think, plan and proceed."
We have to maintain a liberal attitude and expand our minds to accept the fact that no crime or
criminal is the isolated product of a moment or only originating in one person by himself. Every crime and criminal is the outcome of a long history of humanity. According to the natural evolution man has hereditary link with the seed of many animal species. Therefore his genetic centre is characterized with the tendencies of thousands of species through which his journey of consciousness has evolved. Most animals are living on the flesh of other animals as a necessity, integrated into an
efficient natural system. By this mode of life, such animals are necessarily endowed with three
kinds of habits, which seem to be sinful to our minds: (1) Torturing and killing other living beings,
(2) Stealing and eating the God-given flesh of other living beings and (3) Thereby limiting and even destroying the freedom of the life of other beings. These three characteristics are inherited in the human genetic center through evolution. As man is provided with a sixth sense, with his life
experiences and intellectual advancement he can understand the concept of wrong actions and filter them from his genetic values by superimposition of moral deeds. Knowingly or unknowingly all are going forward in the journey of consciousness. Those who are studying the life of mankind should understand the fact that everyone is at a certain point in the progress of consciousness. Only by providing suitable opportunities in life can we change the destiny evolved so far by man's ignorance and habits which disturb the peace of all. It is the duty of humanitarian philosophers and scientists
to explain the natural facts and guide the people, showing a new and reformed way of life. Social
change is imperative to ensure the very existence of human life, which is threatened by serious problems from several angles.
Man wakes up to use his mind sharply only when he is faced with pain and problems. Now the world
is in a grave state; multifarious troubles are on every side, threatening everyone. The character
and activites of a great many men don't seem to be normal. Without being able to trust one another we
cannot function as a society; yet it is dangerous to trust others in these times. Now there are
daily incidents of attacks on others beyond all reason-both verbal as well as physical attacks. It is
to known who is a friend and who is an enemy. In the face of these dilemmas we must seek a thorough
reformation in our living process. To create a tolerant and virtuous society we must think deeply, having due respect for Nature and love and compassion towards our fellow beings. First, we have to set our goals. Secondly we have to assess properly the present situation-how and where we stand. Thirdly, we have to assess the differences between our goal and the point where we are presently. Fourthly we can serialize the reformations needed according to the time and possibilities. We also cannot ignore the human tendency to oppose any reform in the beginning, even if it is sure to be beneficial. Therefore sufficient time should be allotted to make the people ready to accept a reformed society, working through an international and regional movement. We must not expect that these reforms will be completed within our lifetime. It may take a hundred years, but our duty is to start with alight of wisdom. That light will continue to shine in future. Also, we cannot indulge in the vanity that only our ideas and plans are the best and final; many factors of human life are subject to unforeseeable change and plans are to be changed accordingly. Let us do our duties not to pave to better way of living. man never does anything on his own; the divine influence of Nature is inherently assisting every thought and action when one aims towards fulfilling the real needs of others and relief from suffering.
Let us first concentrate on national political reformation. It is obvious that the moral
behaviour of philosophers, poets, religious leaders, artists, cinema stars and politicians reflect in
the society, characterizing the people accordingly. The most powerful influence of all these is that of the politican, because his actions have direct influence on many people and are involved with big amounts of money and various projects can be implemented through his administrative powers. Moral,
honest, spiritual, health, energetic and perseverant people should come forward in politics, to have a beneficial influence on the administration as well as the character of the society. From where do such politicians have to come? Only from the society. So the entire society has to change to a more virtuous way of life. Let us propose a fifty year plan to implement all the changes needed; in the beginning a short term plan can be started as follows.
First, as most countries today are governed democratically based on their respective
constitutions, and all are members of the U.N.O., it may be agreed to formulate a common bill of human rights. Every human being has the same fundamental birthrights; although some extra provisions may be included for women and according to environmental conditions.
In every country only two political parties are enough to decide upon the implementation of
constitutional rights. There should be a department in the universities for education of politicians and government administrators. Within a few years only such educated persons will stand for election.
They should be provided good salaries, such as other professionals, and there should be no business
opportunities for these with political connection.
For issuance of trade or factory licenses the services of the local Chamber of Commerce may be
used. They may also be authorized to collect all taxes, retaining sufficient staff of accountants and
auditors.
Only one elected legislative assembly under the Central Government is enough. It has to maintain
the administration of human rights. At the state level a legislative assembly is not necessary; an
executive committee of administrative officers is enough for implementation of constitutional rights and to administer law and order. Whatever the additions and amendments to the constitution may be requested by the state committee can be debated and enacted by the central legislative assembly. There should be no ministers empowered with direct authority over others or having funds at his disposal.
The elected politicians in the central legislature may serve also as members of any necessary
advisory committees. the elected persons may serve for a limited period of only one five-year term. To bring about all the above reforms in our governmental system a committee of experts may be appointed. The may be directed to schedule the needful changes within a time frame.
At the international level the U.N.O. should be reformed so as to be useful to the people of the
world. As it is functioning now it is not a democratic forum in a real sense. The veto power held by
a few mighty nations which are manufacturing and selling all types of dreadful weapons should be
removed. The U.N.O. should be empowered to function as a world federal government. The number of seats in the General Assembly and Security Council should be given to the countries according to the population strength of the country. No government whatsoever should be allowed to have banks to maintain secret accounts for any individuals or industry, as such accounts are inevitably utilised for criminal purposes. The U.N.O. should take the responsibility of safeguarding the borders of all nations.
As a concerned citizen I have given all these suggestions for the consideration of those who are
sincerly willing to reform the system of government to the greatest good of the individual countries
and the world.
