Knowledge of Humane Conduct
(विवेक, मानवीयतपूर्ण आचरण ज्ञान)
Having understood Existence and the nature of the Conscious unit, or Self (Jeevan), we understand our relationship with every unit in Existence & live accordingly, in the form of complete-Human Conduct, via Wisdom (vivek).
When a human being has knowledge, he desires, thinks, and behaves according to that knowledge. This knowledge is based on existence, on reality; hence human living becomes based on a definite meaning and understanding, leading to a definite human conduct.
He is able to see that these values are naturally acceptable to him; and living according to these values gives him satisfaction and is also fulfilling for other humans and the rest of nature (plants, animals, etc). ‘Values’ are thus the same as our ‘participation’ or ‘innate-nature’; our ‘purpose’ of living.
Consequently, all his thoughts and imagination become in accordance with these ‘values’ and he expresses his understanding via these ‘values’ with other humans as well as nature. Therefore, to live with these values becomes natural for him and to live otherwise becomes unnatural.
On the basis of this, he is able to live with satisfaction in the self and have mutually satisfying relationships: with other humans and with ‘nature’. This itself is ‘justice’ & fulfillment in relationships.
This prepares the ground for Human tradition via education. Human beings can thus have definite conduct. Complete-Humane Conduct comprises of:
- Values [मूल्य]
- Character [चरित्र]
- Ethics [निति]
First – values are our participation in the larger orderliness. There are 4 values in the Self, 6 Human Values, 18 Values in Human-Human relationship, and 2 Values in Human-Nature relationship; totaling 30 values in all. These are ‘human values’.
Second – humane-character is the same for every human. Humane-character is in the form of righteous-wealth, morality in husband-wife relationship, and work-behavior filled with kindness. [चरित्र = स्वधन, स्वनरी/स्वपुरुष, दया पूर्ण कार्य व्यवहार]
Third – we realize ethics when we rightly-use and protect our resources (body, mind, and wealth). [तुन, मन, धन का सुरक्षा, सदुपयोग]
In this way, complete-humane-conduct is a combination of values, character, and ethics. These are the three pillars for living in orderliness.
Living with such humane-conduct requires the basis of Wisdom:
Wisdom, Conduct, and Values do not need to be ‘enforced’ or ‘learnt’. They are a natural outcome of Knowledge, of Understanding. Each Human has Natural Acceptance for these laws and values.
Wisdom, Universal Human Laws of Living
Immortality of Jeevan, Perishable nature of the body, and Laws of living:
- Intellectual Laws (pertaining to Self): Non-Accumulation, Affection, Knowledge, Ease, Fearlessness
- Social Laws (pertaining to Human-Human relationship, in Society): Righteous Wealth, Righteous Marital relationship, Kindness in work and behavior
- Natural Laws (pertaining to Human - rest of Nature relationship): Utility, Complementarity, Purpose-fullness, Coexistence
Values: [मूल्य]
4 ‘Values in the Self’ (Conscious unit, Jeevan): Happiness, Peace, Satisfaction, Bliss.
6 ‘Human Values’: Steadfastness, Courage, Generosity and Kindness, Graciousness, Compassion
18 ‘Relationship Values’: Values in Human-Relationships (Interpersonal)
Human Relationship IS in existence. It does not have to be created. It is already there. It only needs to be understood. These are definite expectations in relationships, also called values. Values in behavior are manifest in human relationships as 9 established and 9 expression values.
The identification of Human Relationships, fulfillment of values, and mutual satisfaction itself is Justice.
| # | Established-Value (स्थापित मूल्य) | Expressed-Values (सिद्ध मूल्य) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trust (विश्वास) | Complementariness (पूरकता) |
| 2 | Respect (सम्मान) | Compliance (सहिष्णुता) |
| 3 | Affection (स्नेह) | Commitment (निष्ठा) |
| 4 | Care (ममता) | Generosity (उदारता) |
| 5 | Guidance (मार्गदर्शन) | Spontaneity (स्वाभाविकता) |
| 6 | Reverence (श्रद्धा) | Obedience (आज्ञापालन) |
| 7 | Glory (गौरव) | Ease (सहजता) |
| 8 | Gratitude (कृतज्ञता) | Self-restraint (संयम) |
| 9 | Love (प्रेम) | Unanimity (अभिन्नता) |
Seven Kinds of Human Relationships in Line with Human Purpose:
| Name of Relationship | Activity, Purpose |
|---|---|
| Father-Mother, Son-Daughter | Nourishment, Protection; Utility – Complementariness |
| Husband-Wife | Mutual Complementariness |
| Brother-Sister | Mutual Assistance |
| Friend-Friend | Mutual Assistance |
| Teacher-Student | Evidenced-Enquiring |
| Colleague-Coworker | Responsibility-Duty |
| System Relation | Participation |
Values flow only on recognizing the meaning or purpose of relationships. For example, when someone recognizes the purpose of their relationship with their father or teacher, values naturally flow. When the mother recognizes her relationship with the child, the feeling of Care flows naturally.
Values don’t flow naturally where there isn’t recognition of relationships. The study of relations can be done based on their purposes. The continuity of recognition and fulfillment of values is only possible by having knowledge, by living in developed-consciousness, as human-consciousness.
Each of the 7 relationships and the 18 values therein are explained in detail in the Madhyasth Darshan–Coexistentialism literature.
Character: [चरित्र]
Living with acceptance for ‘social laws’ manifests as ‘character’ while living in human society.
Righteous Wealth:
- Fruit of efforts employed on nature
- Gift from someone
- Award given (without asking or expectation) for services rendered in society
Righteous Marital Relationship (Husband/Wife):
- Fidelity in Marital relationship: in Words, Thought & Deeds
Kindness in Work and Behavior:
- Not intruding in others' progress. Recognition of complementariness.
Living with these social laws ensures self-restraint and non-intrusion in others’ lives in society. Failure to follow these leads to being a burden for society. All crimes in society result from not adhering to one or more of these:
- Unrighteous Wealth: Steal, Cheat, or Conniving, Harming someone’s wealth.
- Infidelity: Causing mental and physical harm by outraging someone’s modesty.
- Sadism: Speaking, wishing, or partaking in acts to cause harm to others: mentally or physically.
Ethics [निति]
Essence of Ethics is deploying one’s resources (body, mind, and wealth) for purposefulness. This is called right-use, in two aspects:
Religious Ethics (Ethics of Religion, Dharma)
- Right-use of one’s resources: Body, Mind (conscious aspect), and Wealth.
State Ethics (Ethics of State, Rajya)
- Protection of one’s resources: Body, Mind (conscious aspect), and Wealth.
* Living in this manner flows naturally from knowledge. It does not need to be imposed or ‘learnt’. Hence, this is not a ‘set of beliefs’ or ‘rules’ to follow, but something to be known. This is why ‘human values’ is only possible via consciousness-development.
In this way, complete-Humane-conduct is defined as a combined form of Values, Character, and Ethics.
Human Family
The family is the basic unit of organization and basis for humane society:
Such a family consists of individuals living with ‘resolution’ & prosperity. They participate in production, exchange of goods, and ensuring ‘justice’ by living with ‘humane conduct’. A family unit typically consists of 3 generations and about 10-12 people.
There are 3 relationships within the family: Mother-Father/Son-Daughter; Husband-Wife; Brother-Sister.There are 3 relationships outside the family: Friend-Friend; Colleague-Coworker; ‘System’ relation (participation in human orderliness). Every human lives in such relationships. Denying any causes problems.
The identity of a human being is only in the family. Material needs can only be definitely identified in a family.
Just like particles form an atom, the smallest unit in the Universe’s orderliness, humans come together to live in a family (by birth or marriage), forming the basis for orderliness in human society. Fulfillment comes only by living in relationships.
Complete-Humane-Conduct is not possible without Wisdom; and Wisdom is not possible without ‘Knowledge’.
– shriram n | student | jan 2012
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