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Interdisciplinary exploration of common principles governing social development

Proposal For An Inter-Disciplinary Dialogue On Individuality

Submitted by GJacobs on Wed, 07/08/2009

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RATIONALE

 

Individuality plays the same role in social evolution that gene mutation plays in biological evolution. Individual creativity and originality are the origin of all social progress. By generating new ideas, envisioning new possibilities, adopting new behaviors and embracing new attitudes, the individual plays a crucial role in the development and evolution of society. Revolutionary ideas, discoveries, organizations, products, and technologies are first conceived in the mind of one or a few individuals, passionately advocated by a few courageous pioneers, put into action by political leaders, entrepreneurs and social innovators and then gradually accepted by the society-at-large.

Today, society produces more creative individuals than ever before – more original scientists, creative artists and writers, dynamic entrepreneurs and innovative leaders. That is one of the main reasons for the increasing speed of social change in modern times. Humanity strives to promote individuality through human rights, democratic participation, universal education, economic opportunity, social tolerance, freedom of thought and expression, individual innovation and inventiveness.  The individual is one who acts according to an inner frame of reference rather than in order to conformity to with external standards or value systems. Individuality as used here is not to be confused with egoism, selfishness, independence or indifference to social welfare.

The accelerating pace of social development in the 21st Century necessitates that society acquire the capacity to adapt, respond and innovate more rapidly and creatively, without being encumbered by outdated ideas and outmoded ways of action. This can be aided by greater attention to the central role of individuality, its origin and constitution,  the process by which it develops and acts on the collective, and – most importantly – the measures that can be taken to promote the development of individuality as a means of enhancing global society’s capacity for creative and intelligent adaptation.

Both the eminence and diversity of its membership uniquely qualifies the World Academy to lead a global exploration of this crucial issue and invite both Fellows and a wider general public to contribute to the discussion. Furthering thought and dialogue on individuality can be of immense value to the future of science, education, governance and enterprise.

 

SCOPE

The project spans diverse fields including

1. Discovery & Innovation – the role of individuality in original thinking, scientific discovery, and technological innovation.

2. Art & Literature – sources, expressions and means to promote creativity.

3. Social sciences – the role of the individual in psychological, social and political development, the social factors responsible and the implications of growing individuality for the world’s future.

4. Thought – the role of individuality in original thinking, philosophy, philosophy of science, religion and spirituality.

5. Business – role of individuality in entrepreneurship and leadership in business.

6. Biological sciences –  the origins of individuality in lower life forms and the conditions and process of its progressive emergence in humanity.

7. Physical sciences – the origins of uniqueness in physical Nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

1. Establish an Internet Forum for the project.

2. Conduct an inter-disciplinary dialogue regarding the origins, nature and role of individuality as it relates to Art, Science, human development and social evolution.

3. Invite contributions from Fellows as well as 200 other eminent artists, writers, scientists, educators, business and social leaders.

4. Collaborate with other organizations to conduct research on theories of individuality and personal examples from different fields.

5. Invite university students to submit essays on the themes of the conference.

6. Conduct seminars and conference sessions in collaboration with other organizations to examine the conclusions of the e-conference.

7. Summarize forum discussion in periodic articles in the WAAS newsletter.

8. Present the findings at the next General Assembly.

9. Publish and disseminate the conclusions in reputed journals and/or peer reviewed WAAS publications.

QUALIFICATION UNDER WAAS PROGRAM CRITERIA

1. Global Reach – The project addresses an issue of greatest importance to the future of science and society.

2. Integrated Approach – The project seeks to examine and integrate perspectives from a wide range of fields including virtually all fields of art, science and other professions represented by the Academy. This project is a natural complement to the project on Limits to Rationality, since the capacity for objective thinking unimpaired by social convention is one characteristics of individuality.

3. Theoretical Contribution – The Project has the potential of making a theoretical contribution to our understanding of Individuality as well as evolving insights into how individuality can be fostered in and through the educational system.

4. Uniqueness – The project is original and unique and leverages the unique characteristics of the Academy’s membership and interests to address an issue that is not being comprehensively addressed by any other organization.

5. Collaboration – The project envisions collaboration involving Fellows, non-fellows and organizations from different fields interested in this issue.

6. On-going Activity – The project will generate an on-going activity which can engage Fellows and generate content for periodic reports in the WAAS newsletter.

7. Visibility – By inviting collaboration and participation from non-Fellow experts, other organizations, universities and perhaps even students, the Academy can significantly increase its public visibility.

PROJECT STRUCTURE

1. Establish a small committee of interested Fellows & collaborating organizations to direct the project.

2. Identify one or several institutions to collaborate with the Academy on this project

a. The Mother’s Service Society (MSS) is willing to undertake research for the project and provide support for management of the forum.

b. WAAS Trustee Alberto Zucconi, President of Person Centred Approach Institute (IACP), has expressed interest in disseminating awareness and involvement among psychologists.

3. Appoint a moderator for each discussion topic. Moderators will be asked to prepare quarterly summary statements highlighting important questions and insights which can be hosted on the sight and published in WAAS newsletters.

a. Nominate Junior/Associate Fellows

b. Reseachers from participating organizations

BUDGET ESTIMATE

1.   E-forum platform – The forum can be established on WAAS’ existing website at no additional cost. General administrative support will be required from WAAS’ virtual office for technical administration of forums, assistance to participants, interactions with Fellows and non-Fellows, and mailings to promote project visibility. The total estimated cost will be $2500 for the year. This amount may be reduced if several similar e-projects are being implemented simultaneously.

2.   Forum Moderators – may be contributed by participating/sponsoring organizations or on voluntary basis by Junior Fellows.

3.   Research  –  to be contributed by participating/sponsoring organizations

4.   Seminars, Conferences & Publications – These may be undertaken with funds obtained from collaborating organizations or other sources.

ISSUES FOR RESEARCH & DISCUSSION

1. Definition of  Individuality and its distinction from other human characteristics

2. The relationship between individuality, social change and human development

3. Variations in individuality between societies and cultures

4. Psychological theories and conceptions of individuality

5. Implications of individuality for the future of education

6. Individuality and artistic creativity

7. The role of individuality in science

8. Individuality and intellectual discovery

9. Individuality in world literature

10. The role of Individuality in spirituality and religion

11. Uniqueness and Individuality in the animal kingdom

12. Uniqueness and Individuality in material nature

13. Historical patterns in the emergence and expression of individuality

14. The role of Individuality in biological and social evolution

15. The relationship between individuality, consciousness and free will

 

Good Societies: Psychological Progress

Submitted by LEtheredge on Tue, 06/16/2009

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Good Societies: Psychological Progress
     One of the important conceptual issues/discoveries is that, although money is extraordinarily useful, different cultures and societies can - with about the same amount of money - produce very different outcomes for their members.

      Here is a brief example (below) from the World Bank's latest Development Report. They group countries into several categories by GDP/capita: Low-Income ($935 or less), Low-Middle Income ($936-$3,705), Upper-Middle Income ($3,706-$11,455). Other outcome measures show similar results.

      This probably is a complex problem and it is not my field of research. However there seem to be at least two major dimensions: 1.) Societies that have fallen apart (e.g., the horrific problems with anomie-linked alcoholism and drug use, etc. and the collapse of the public health system and life expectancy in the Russian Federation) and poor societies that never came together (some African countries); 2.) Discrimination, which remains ubiquitous. (It undermines public education for women; it is one of the greatest sources of violent conflict, especially involving ethnic groups, etc. Often it expresses a human-sustained scarcity (of respect, in systems of hierarchical status) that is more usefully addressed by psychological change rather than money.)

     Just a suggestion: This might be a good time for WAAS to convene a strategic planning group of development-oriented organizations to focus on renewed progress for human rights - specifically, an End to Discrimination campaign. [There is a good, "Yes, We Can!," example in the US, in the election of a Black President against the background of a civil rights movement.] We ought to find ways to use the new communication technologies to create the shared expectation that this, the end of discrimination, is the natural agenda for cultures and political systems worldwide. If a breakthrough is possible, humankind can get revolutionary progress in the next several years even if GDP/capita isn't available as the engine.

Male Life Expectancy at Birth (Examples)

Low GDP/Capita
     Average                  56
     High
        Vietnam               68
     Low
        Mozambique        42

Low-Middle GDP/capita
    Average                   67
    High
       Sri Lanka              72
     Low
        Angola                41

Upper-Middle GDP/capita
    Average                   67
    High
        Costa Rica           76
    Low
        Russian Fed.        59
        South Africa         49

% Adult Literacy (Examples)

Low GDP/capita
    Average                   61
    Low               
        Burkina Faso        24
        Chad                    26
    High                
        Tajikistan            69
        Niger                   69

Low-Middle GDP/capita
    Average                  89
    Low
        Morocco              52
    High
        China                  91
        Indonesia           90

Upper-Middle GDP/capita
    Average                 93
    Low
        Libya                  84
    High
        Costa Rica          95               

 

Role of Individuality in Creativity, Discovery & Social Development

Submitted by Ashok Natarajan on Sat, 05/16/2009

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Introduction
 
In the last 200 years the emergence of individuality has become a driving force for social change and a core value of modern society. Human rights, spread of democracy, education, widening economic opportunities and increasing freedom of thought and speech and technological inventions have become the dominant levers for more rapid human progress. The leader, innovator, entrepreneur and the pioneer are social expressions of this phenomenon. The original thinker, inventor and creative artist are mental expressions. The role of individuality is likely become even more prominent in future.
 
As a subject Individuality spans the entire gamut of human activity from the biological, social and psychological role of individuals in evolution to their crucial contribution to creativity in the arts and sciences. Thus, there is need for an effort to examine this subject in its widest significance, from its origins in biology to its multiple expressions in human psychology and sociology. The World Academy is eminently suited to explore this subject due to the presence of many distinguished scientists and academicians among its fellows. Both the eminence and diversity of its membership uniquely qualifies the World Academy to lead a global exploration of this crucial issue and invite both Fellows and a wider general public to contribute to the discussion.
 
Scope

This proposal calls for the World Academy to embark on an inter-disciplinary dialogue regarding the origins, nature and role of individuality in human development and social evolution. The project spans diverse fields including the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. The forum can explore the rudimentary manifestation of individuality among lower forms of life, the conditions and process of its progressive emergence in humanity, the role of the individual in humanity’s social, political, artistic and intellectual creativity, and the implications of growing individuality for the world’s future.

Issues

A partial list of topics for discussion can include

• Uniqueness and Individuality in material nature • Uniqueness and Individuality in the animal kingdom

• Psychological theories and conceptions of individuality • The relationship between individuality, consciousness and free will

• The relationship between individuality, social change and human development •

• Historical patterns in the emergence and expression of individuality Variations in individuality between societies and cultures

• Implications of individuality for the future of education

• Individuality and artistic creativity • Individuality in world literature • Individuality and intellectual discovery

• The role of individuality in science

• Its role in spirituality and religion

Proposal

The Academy can launch a global exploration of the broad issue of individuality and its various expressions and implications in the arts, sciences and practical life. This proposal envisions the following methodology:

1. Establish an internet forum for Individuality with defined topics for exploration. Fellows can be identified or volunteers enlisted to moderate the discussion on each topic.

2. Invite eminent thinkers from within outside the academy to contribute thoughtful preliminary statements on various aspects of the issue.

3. Open the forum to discussion and further contributions by all Fellows.

4. Invite other individuals and organizations -- academic, artistic, professional and business – to participate and contribute. For example, the psychological aspects of individuality may be explored in association with a leading university or psychological institute.

5. Moderators will be asked to prepare quarterly summary statements highlighting important questions and insights which can be hosted on the sight and published in WAAS newsletters.

6. Once a considerable body of thought has accumulated, the moderators can interact to define a set of core issues for further discussion.

7. Live workshops can be held of active participants to refine the issues and enrich the discussion.

8. Ultimately the Academy’s findings can be published by WAAS or submitted to leading journals to stimulate wider discussion of this issue.
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