Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

In the context of globalization, the dominating worldview, guided by a divisive philosophy of “I vs. you” and “man vs. nature,” and influenced by fierce competition, has created conflicts and violence. Disturbances occur at all levels—biological, social, and spiritual. Life itself has lost inner sanctity and innate value. Although the Western analytical approach to understanding life and attaining knowledge has helped mankind in making advances in sciences and technology, it has proven to be insufficient in solving humanity’s diverse problems. A perfect understanding of individual parts does not automatically convey a perfect understanding of the whole system. In today’s world, the “otherness” of immigrants and foreigners and the “strangeness” of strangers have been exaggerated. Other philosophical approaches are needed for understanding life and obtaining just and peaceful coexistence. This research inquiry explores the nature of life in India’s socio-cultural system which evolved from ancient philosophical traditions and which is synthetic and considers all lives to be holy or innately worthy of respect. These traditions see life as all-inclusive, marked by interdependence and interconnectedness and focus on the value and utility of each and every system that contributes to “all-inclusive” living. The paper also discusses cosmopolitanism and ethics of dignity, recognition, and respect as they relate to human existence and life’s sanctity.