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VALUE IN ONE’S VALUES A thousand Americans took part in a
psychological values survey last year, and were asked
to list a set of 18 values in the order of importance to the individual.
Following the final tally, a consensus was determined and the values were ranked from number one through number 18 in
importance. More than 95 percent of the participants ranked “a world at
peace” number one, and “family security,” number two. Although both of these are among the
noblest of human desires, they are both end values which
reflect conditions outside an individual. The same group ranked “inner
harmony” lath, and “mature love” 14th. “Self-respect” was
ranked fifth. Based on this survey, and on the daily
vocabulary of the market places, it is apparent that Americans today are
influenced by a major psychological constant which
emphasizes environmental determination while de-emphasizing individual
determination. The thinking which led 1,000 individuals to rank values which are clearly beyond their individual control far
ahead of values clearly within one’s control demonstrates this point.
It is not within the framework of the Brotherhood’s
Philosophy to assume that “a world of peace” and “family security” will bring
about “inner harmony.” Rather it is reasonable and consistent to assume that
inner harmony, self-respect and mature love in all individuals would bring
about world peace and family security. This kind of thinking which puts the cart
before the horse, or the environment before the individual, contributes
directly to the ‘blame consciousness” so graphically demonstrated by riots,
protest marches, and violent civil disobedience. On the other hand, stressing
individual values which are directly within one’s control
leads to a “responsibility consciousness.” A responsible person refuses to
blame environmental situations, such as the “establishment”, for failings in
his life. The person who considers himself a
realist will agree that “other people do effect the
environment, and the system can fail to meet the individual’s needs,” His
thesis is that it is unrealistic to ignore or play down negative aspects. The realist is right about the way things
are in the world today. That’s why many people, who
have the highest ranking on individual values, are coming together to build a
community in which individual responsibility is clearly defined. A “world at peace” is a beautiful goal.
It is achievable, but not unless the individuals who make up the world place
the highest value on things they can do something
about — such as attaining inner harmony, mature love and self-respect. |
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