Looking over the last 12 months provides a breath-taking series of developments concerning Social Sustainability, many of which I did not anticipate. That’s a good thing as it offers a rising horizon of the unexpected, of new concepts, of ever greater wholeness, and keeps one humble. As I continue to work the concepts and fundamental principles of social sustainability I am realizing more and more that it offers a holistic way of living in a sustainable society without religious dictums to do the right thing. It offers a universal and timeless means for living in a just and merciful society.
It seems that with social sustainability, one little thread leads to another thread to weave a fabric of whole cloth for the good functioning of societies. We have discovered that by applying the values and principles of social sustainability that “social justice” becomes definable and measurable. “What is fair” also becomes abundantly clear, as does “the common good.” Yet, in Post #118 I stated that organizations may lack compassion, empathy and regard for the value of people, individuals, even though the organization had taken on the values of social sustainability.
That incongruous situation stems from the minded orientation of working with the values and principles of social sustainability. Sifting a social problem through the Schematic for Validating Social Sustainability is an intellectual, “minded” process that requires deliberate, thoughtful and intentional work using logic and reasoning in one’s mind. Yet, something more is missing isn’t there?
The missing element is the “heart-connection” that balances all considerations concerning the welfare of others, and our self. The heart-connection is not apparent until we apply the three emotions that validate social sustainability as being complete. Compassion, empathy and the manifold layers offered in one word, “love,” give us the means to evaluate whether a society, organization, community, social agency or family is complete and functionally sustainable.
The cold reality of maintaining a functional and sustainable society cannot not exist by justice alone, but must be qualified by mercy to maintain our heart-connected relationships with others and our self. Justice without mercy is blind to compassion and empathy. But with mercy, justice then becomes humane — human. Justice does not generate loyalty. But with mercy loyalty, commitment and support are generated, the essence of sustainability that can last centuries.
It seems that with social sustainability, one little thread leads to another thread to weave a fabric of whole cloth for the good functioning of societies. We have discovered that by applying the values and principles of social sustainability that “social justice” becomes definable and measurable. “What is fair” also becomes abundantly clear, as does “the common good.” Yet, in Post #118 I stated that organizations may lack compassion, empathy and regard for the value of people, individuals, even though the organization had taken on the values of social sustainability.
That incongruous situation stems from the minded orientation of working with the values and principles of social sustainability. Sifting a social problem through the Schematic for Validating Social Sustainability is an intellectual, “minded” process that requires deliberate, thoughtful and intentional work using logic and reasoning in one’s mind. Yet, something more is missing isn’t there?
The missing element is the “heart-connection” that balances all considerations concerning the welfare of others, and our self. The heart-connection is not apparent until we apply the three emotions that validate social sustainability as being complete. Compassion, empathy and the manifold layers offered in one word, “love,” give us the means to evaluate whether a society, organization, community, social agency or family is complete and functionally sustainable.
The cold reality of maintaining a functional and sustainable society cannot not exist by justice alone, but must be qualified by mercy to maintain our heart-connected relationships with others and our self. Justice without mercy is blind to compassion and empathy. But with mercy, justice then becomes humane — human. Justice does not generate loyalty. But with mercy loyalty, commitment and support are generated, the essence of sustainability that can last centuries.