How to Make Human Society Peaceful

My hub, A New Approach to Mental Health, in fact was an attempt to explain all that is wrong with our society.

Today, we understand that infectious diseases like flu, chickenpox and pneumonia are caused by microscopic organisms – bacteria and viruses. This, the germ theory of diseases, in fact opened our eyes. Without this knowledge, we might have never developed ways to treat and prevent such infections.

In a similar manner, does the new approach to mental health empower us in facing issues of societal health? I think so. In fact all our issues in the behavioral plane can be grouped as misplaced or unsuitable responses, whether as actions, reactions, or other expressions. To me, while seeking the origin of such incongruence, one thing is becoming clear. Our adherence a particular set of responses, which we term as the appropriate ones, does have the potential to make any current response, unacceptable. Or, it is our reluctance to accept any other kind of response even when suggested so, which makes our position untenable to others. And the cascading effect of the original response followed by actions and reactions by various entities that come across this, results in instances of unrest.

Once the unrest sets in, the incongruent response of some random entity that would have caused it gets submerged in a sea of reactions. Each such reaction assuming a degree of depth, urgency, or other parameters depending on the instantaneous feeling of intensity or abhorrence felt by the reacting entity, the responses tend to assume a form that will be unrecognizable from the original action of incongruence. Also, the response can occupy a wide canvas, depending solely on things like creativity, imaginativeness, or aesthetic sensibility of the responder. As a result, anybody trying to find an answer to the instances of current unrest will never have the luxury of having any inkling about the actions of incongruence, the original cause. In addition, each such response (from different entities) being wholly dependent on the dramatic capabilities or exhibitory leanings of the responder, those who prod further will find it difficult to see beyond its bedazzlement. (In fact this is the reason, much of the writings on such topics are quite abstract, philosophical, and perhaps scholarly dissertations)

But the fact is, when our (conditioned) response produce any such established, dazzling reaction, it becomes an issue. That being true for each of our natural responses, turning anything into an issue is dependent only on current or local sensibilities or both. For example, see the religious sphere. Rather than the ‘hate’ content of an event, what really spark an issue are the local reactions to certain happening. You see, an event does not maintain its ‘hateful’ nature, except in the social group, which, for certain reasons would have painted it so. Rather, that particular group is a conditioned one.

Or, we can say that conditioned behavior is acting like a germ. Just as germs are spreading diseases without our knowledge, our dazzling, conditioned responses are also spreading issues of mental health with no intervention from our side. Thus, whatever social issues are there in our midst could be happening as a result of some of our conditioned responses. Either in the form of impediments we impose on our conduct, or unbridled celebrations, or both, either by us, ourselves, or by others.

What are we doing now? I agree we are always aware of the incendiary nature of our society, the most common places to observe sparks of a destructive nature being language, religion or ethnicity. Whenever we observe a violent reaction, say in matters concerning religion, rather than looking for the source of violence, we direct our efforts to the particular aspect of religion that took part in it. And it goes on, as it had been since the dawn of history. Whenever the disturbance becomes too much to handle, we resort to some kind of urgent, symptomatic cure that can make some difference. And forget about such issues till the next time it erupts.

(Such a lackadaisical approach to an issue that is crucial to our well being needs to be investigated further.

Contrast this with the material world. Here, I think we approach even less significant issues with an open, alert mind, and keep looking for answers. And answers come, making our life more and more comfortable.

But, when it comes to the spiritual world, we are very clear about two things. One, we are unwilling to question spiritual matters. Two, we are quite vehement in our objections to others doing so. Whereas the opposite is true for the material world; not only that we are quite happy to question any matter relating to the physical world, but also we are eager to help others doing so. Why so? Are we afraid that we may stumble upon some answer? https://hubpages.com/education/spiritualandmaterial)

What do we need to do? I think we need to be more inclusive, while teaching ourselves about correct responses. In a given situation, rather than assessing a few of the responses as correct, and some other few as wrong, we need to mould ourselves to appreciate all responses as valid, a few of those perhaps more appropriate at the given instant than the others.

For example, we already know there are many dimensions to each issue. Some of those, I myself have tried to portray, through my 'hub's. What stops us from re-evaluating all our priorities and responses, in the light of those? Perhaps that can result in a complete shift, to our system of education? Which will usher in a society with a different set of ambitions, desires, etc. that are more conducive to peace and harmony?

In fact we know this. We use this philosophy in our appreciation of the material world. We know, different elements need to go into the constitution of things, to meet the desired requirements. And we never rest, taking one line of analysis, even if it led us to the desired result. We know that every element is there to meet some need, or cause something undesirable, or both.

But when it comes to the societal plane, we have molded ourselves to think of all responses other than a few chosen ones, unnecessary, or dangerous. And by constantly suppressing some of our responses, we are encouraging unknowingly, instances of unrest. Therefore, we need to permit a wide variety of responses from all, leading to spontaneous evolution of priorities. And the actions for it should begin at home, don’t be adhered inflexibly to whatever one is adhered to. Remember also, a flexible adhesion makes a stronger joint, one that can withstand more forces of disruption.

That completes all that is needed to put an end to instances of unrest, which is only this, let every reaction bloom. (Selective breeding of ideas, the favorite pastime of the world since long, is still possible. But at a much slower pace, one not discernible easily)