Shared Values for Shared Futures
Much has been made of the "clash of civilizations"--the
differences in values that are tearing the globe apart. But in reality, clashes are
occurring more because of what cultures have in common, such as a tendency to demonize the
"enemy" and to seek revenge against real or perceived wrongs, says sociologist Wendell
Bell.
What we need to do now, Bell advises, is focus on the positive
values that civilizations share--truth, justice, love--and develop a strategy for turning
these values into a global ethic for positive change. Such a strategy would be based on
three fundamental principles: the need to be inclusive of others, the need to be skeptical
about one's own beliefs, and the need for strong institutions to keep the peace. (See
"Humanity's Common Values: Seeking a Positive Future," page 30 in the print
edition.)
Increasingly fervent fundamentalism is one of the traits that today's
clashing civilizations unfortunately share, points out business futurist Arnold Brown.
While much of the blame for the world's woes has been cast on Islamic militants, religious
fundamentalism is on the rise in the West as well, and may be a symptom of people's
growing impatience with the way things are. Brown explains why businesses need to
understand and respond to these trends. (See "The Threat of Thearchy," page 26.)
Signs of a values shift in the West are emerging in recent studies
showing growing dissatisfaction with materialism, according to Australian scholar Richard
Eckersley. He believes that individuals are beginning to exercise genuine "moral
autonomy" by rejecting moral edicts handed down from on high. (See "A New World
View Struggles to Emerge," page 20.)
What's New at the World Future Society?
Plenty, beginning with a new president, Timothy C. Mack, who
officially took the helm June 7. He succeeds the Society's founding president, Edward
Cornish, who will continue as editor of THE FUTURIST and as a member of the board of
directors. (See "New Leadership for World Future Society," page 64.)
To order the print edition of THE FUTURIST, please click: https://www.wfs.org/futuristorder.htm
