Go for neo-humanistic model of education to create sustainable world community: Special on World Humanitarian Day

On August 19, the World Humanitarian Day was observed. In the broader sense, the observerance is meant to promote humanisn and oneness of the humanity. We need to go for an efficient and effective neo-humanistic education to match up to fast-developing and aggressive deep-technologies trying to dehumanise us

The way, the materialistic-capitalistic deep-technology is fast developing, invading day-today life and de-humanising us by taking away our cognitive functions of mind (smart e-devices), brain functions (AI and brain chips) and kinaesthetic functions (comforts and conveniences), reproduction (designer babies) and ponzi economy schemes, freebees, loans and EMIs), soon we are going to become ‘addict technology consumers’ and ‘tech-zombies.’ It is being feared that even education and governing systems are being trapped into the net through smart classrooms, e-commerce and on-line deliveries. The fast progress towards deep-technology is invasive and requires humanistic-ethical education and governance to counter its ill-effects

Human development through education, pedagogy, social learning, research in social sciences and human intelligences is not keeping pace with technological advancement which is required urgently by humanity. Education is required to develop thinking, feeling, realising and creative potentials efficiently and effectively which does not require mediation of technology. Human potential are innate and dormant, they required strong social pedagogy, life philosophy and multiple intelligence based instructional pedagogy

With the recognition of spiritual intelligence as a component of humans’ innate potentials as a component of the Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, it is being advocated that the education should be based on neo-humanism philosophy.

Avdhuta (2024) urges that for sustainable development, we must base our education and system management on neo-humanism that follows the balanced physical, psychic and spiritual development and it deems that it the moral or ethical duty of human race to bring society and societal institutions ‘on the path of spirituality so that a feeling of love for all can be gerated in each one of us. “Spirituality is not a utopian idea, it can be practiced in day-to-day life but needs sincerity,” he observes.

Here is 3As mantra neo-humanism as I have understood it.

A1: Adapting to worldly life with balanced development of physical, psychic and spiritual (body, mind, and spirit) development of all humans inclusively beyond religious, caste creed, gender divides

A2: Acquiring and living the role of custodian or guardian of all animate and inanimate components of mother nature and live a simple and minimal life

A3: Attempting sincerely to attain the goal of self-realisation and serve humanity selflessly as a symbiotic component of the ecological web of nature

Thus, we must go for neo-humanistic education efficiently and effectives to ward off the ills of modern technology by facilitating development of students in physical, cognitive, social, emotional, creative, spiritual potentials to live a purposeful life without falling prey to lop-sided technological-material development.

Here is a poem on humanism

A heart that feels for all, a spirit free,

Beyond the walls that human hands have made,

Finds light in tender human empathy,

Where silent understanding is displayed.

No single 'I' but 'us' for all to find,

With hands outstretched where gentle care can flow,

A whispered promise for all humankind,

To plant the seeds where compassion can grow.

What have we done for others, small or grand?

This simple question whispers through our days,

Each kindred soul, a dear kin in the land,

A family bound by love in countless ways.

Let peace and kindness be our guiding star,

For truly, one great family we are.

Reference

Avadhuta, A. D, (2024). For sustainable development, go for neohumanism, Times of India, 31 January, 2024, p. 16