Be The Light in The World
As 2023 exits stage left, perhaps we can use 2024 to reignite the pursuit of universalism ...
I wish you all a happy new year and offer this short essay to get people thinking about how we might abandon individual and group identities to help improve cooperation and achieve inherent recognition by each person of their equality before the law to all other persons they may meet in their journey …
All through my childhood, my Jewish mother and father made sure that on we attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley Christmas Eve service. Situated a few 100 yards from my early child hood home on Terrace Drive ( where I was fortunate to have Sundar Shadi as a childhood babysitter when my parents needed help), my mother (who had worked as a speech writer for Carlos P. Romulo at the U.N.) was particularly impressed with the Church’s commitment to embracing all faiths. In particular they would use a lit Hanukah Menorah as the start of a source of fire to light candles (we each had one) progressively through the entire audience. A powerful message of spreading the light of the prince of peace to all.
My recoil to the modern messages of modern opponents of universalism should come as no surprise. Such opponents primarily advocate for cultural relativism, which emphasizes the unique moral, ethical, and cultural values of different societies. This perspective challenges the application of universal norms and values, arguing they are often rooted in Western ideologies and do not account for the diverse cultural landscapes across the globe. Cultural relativism posits that concepts of "right" and "wrong" are society-specific, and no single standard can be universally applied. Such critics of universalism argue that imposing Western-centric human rights standards on non-Western societies overlooks their unique cultural and moral frameworks, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings
My gut level response to cultural relativism, in defense of universalism, is the importance of individual rights and agency. My sense is (informed by Classical liberalism) that certain rights and freedoms are inherent to all individuals, regardless of cultural or societal norms. I would argue that individual agency should be paramount and protected universally. My belief is that individual rights are not subject to cultural or societal constraints, and that these rights include fundamental freedoms such as speech, belief, and equality before the law. My approach maintains that protecting individual agency and rights is essential for a just and free society.
I can hear my friends on the far left (and in a large section of academia these days) appeal to some variation on standpoint theory. They would highlight the importance of recognizing the varied experiences and perspectives shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts. They might assert that knowledge and understanding are situated and influenced by one's social position. They would argue that universal principles, as proposed by classical liberalism, may inadvertently overlook or marginalize the experiences of those in less privileged or dominant social positions. Hence, they would say, a one-size-fits-all approach to rights and freedoms may not adequately address the complexities and inequalities present in diverse societies.
My friends in making such argument seem to ignore the risk of fragmenting society into competing groups based on identity and experience. I can’t help but feel that their approach focuses too much on specific group perspectives which in turn leads to a form of relativism that undermines the universal principles of justice and individual rights. I would strongly assert that while it's important to acknowledge diverse experiences, there must be a common framework of rights and liberties that applies to everyone equally, ensuring a cohesive and functional society.
In our pursuit of a society grounded in the principles of universal equality and justice, we must affirm that every individual is first and foremost a member of the human family. This shared human identity is the cornerstone of our legal and social order, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all under the law. We recognize the rich diversity of experiences and perspectives that each person brings.
In contrast, we assert that categorizing ourselves primarily through lenses other than our common humanity — be it race, gender, creed, or any other distinction — has the often seen and observed potential to undermine the very foundation of our universal equality. In upholding our shared humanity, let us each commit to fostering a society where every person is valued, respected, and treated impartially, solely on the basis of their inherent human dignity. If we can move in this direction, we can begin to move past the things that separate us and embrace our commonality.
Food for thought in 2024 …
Happy New Year
2023-2024
Newport Beach, CA
agree, agree, agree!