In prior posts we discussed the three core values of social sustainability, “Quality of life,” “Growth” and “Equality.” They are innate to our species and universal in every individual of every nation. They have the capacity to sustain families, communities, societies, nations and a global civilization into future centuries. We also discussed how these values urge us individually to improve our quality of life, to grow and to do so equally as anyone else with the same capability. They support the growth of societies and nations, through the collective influence of individuals, especially in organizations. Yet, what was missing from our discussion is the initiating cause, the internal motivation that propels this simple matrix of values into action.
These three values can be interpreted and implemented in at least three ways:
either ( - ), ( ᴓ ) or ( + ). Their interpretation can be expressed negatively and destructively in the form of seven deadly emotions: In today’s language they include anger and aggression, greed, laziness, pride, lust, envy and hoarding (accumulating more than is needed for one’s life and circumstances). They are evidence of innate selfish and self-centeredness. These negative emotions are degenerative in nature and diminish the effectiveness of the individual in their own life and are corrosive to their relationships with others. When they emanate from organizations and corporate or governmental cultures, they can have a cumulative, negative influence and effect upon communities and societies, and create social, political and economic instability. Such a narrow, selfish and self-centered consciousness is the motivating causes of social separation and social disintegration, the antithesis of social sustainability.
The inner motivating causes that initiate social stability and sustainability are three essential emotions, “Love,” “Compassion” and “Empathy.” These three emotions lead us to be open with our self and with others, enabling us to improve our self-esteem and self-image; and encourage us to improve our relationships with others. They are not selfish, but generous, and allow us to see our own life in the lives of others, and then in compassion reach out to help those others grow! That is the true interpretation and expression of the quality of life, growth and equality applied individual-to-individual through emotional integrity. Their constructive interpretation leads to the positive development of our inner personality structures; and, contribute positively to our functioning in our family, community and society. They complete the holism of the Raphael Theory of Human Motivation.
When they are expressed authentically and genuinely within us, they become the essential connective-energy that empowers our inner potential to blossom throughout the full development of our life from childhood through our elder years. These three emotions not only allow but prompt us to consider others as equals of ourselves, the truest definition of the core value “equality.” We see this clearly in the “golden rule,” a multi-cultural moral truism; and, we see it in actions of “pay it forward.”
Love, compassion and empathy are self-sustaining emotions because they allow us be more open and engaging within our self and with others. They promote the inner development, growth and maturity of our self, leading us into the accumulation of living-wisdom that is essential to guide new generations. Open, confident and socially competent individuals are the essential elements of social leadership, to lead others into actions that sustain families, communities and societies in peace.
What is remarkable about these self-sustaining emotions is that while these emotions are subjective in nature, in reality they can be objectively measured when we observe the secondary values they generate: acceptance, appreciation, recognition, validation, respect, loyalty, faithfulness, trust, authenticity, vulnerability, genuineness, self-identity and identity of others, and many more. They evoke acts of social integration rather than social separation. These emotions provide the social lubricant that is essential for the smooth functioning of families, communities and societies, and their sustainability into the future.
Fundamentally, love, compassion and empathy support the development of a higher quality of life for our self and with others. These emotions provide the motivating energy to grow into a more complete, mature and functional individual within our self and within our social environment. They allow us to see the common good as societal rather than selfishly personal. Their expression demonstrates the highest ennobling qualities of human nature at its best, giving example to others that encourages our own intra- and inter-personal growth. With these three self-sustaining emotions, we now have the direction and motivation from which to develop highly positive family dynamics before the arrival of children; and a loving, compassionate and empathic means of validating holistic growth in individuals, families and societies.
When you see evidence of these positive emotions in action, you are seeing evidence of the development of self-sustaining families and communities. The positive interpretations of the three values of social sustainability then become constructive to the social and emotional sustainability of individuals, families, communities and societies. When we internalize these values and emotions, we realize that the collective power of individuals affects individuals everywhere, as much as the individual affects the collective whole.
© Copyright Daniel Raphael USA 2014. This article may be copied without revisions, additions or deletions. ## daniel.raphaelphd <at> gmail.com
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