Human Attitude- A Biggest Global Challenge

Posted by: Life Skills Sankar

Source: Sankara Pitchaiah Podila (2019) Human Attitude - A Biggest Global Challenge, International Journal of Current Advanced Research, Volume 8; Issue 02(C); pp. No. 17284-17289.

Global challenges are defined as any major trend, shock, or development that has the potential for serious global impacts (Gelsdorf, 2010). Today's world is more chaotic and unpredictable than at any other period in history. Apprehensions about the future determine our present. If we want to live in a safe world at present, we should get ready for future problems. Only if we do that, we can make this world better in the future and at present. From this point of view, we shall find global solutions for global challenges since, primarily we are the citizens of the world (Karaduman, 2014). Unless the global challenges are addressed well, humans have no peace and safety on the globe.

Value Deterioration

Values can be defined as broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of actions or outcomes. Moral values such as integrity, determination, loyalty, truthfulness, honesty, giving respect to each other, etc., should be inherited by every individual. The values help us to distinguish between what's right and wrong, good or bad for you as well as society.

At present, value deterioration becomes a common phenomenon, worldwide. Our Governments, Educational institutions and the Society have been training efficient individuals, but not good citizens or humans. Thus, it has been commonly believed that there has been a rapid erosion of ethical and moral values (Figure 1). During the past century, the Illegal activities, Social crimes, Indiscipline, Violation of acts, Sexual harassment, Political corruption, Insecurity, Unrest, Addictions (Smoking, Drinking, and Drugs), Lying, Cheating, Exploitation, Irresponsibility are increased (Sankara Pitchaiah, 2018). Research shows that young people are careless about morals and ethical values, and are instead focusing on themselves in order to promote their own agendas, and the agendas do not focus on morals or values (Taneri et al., 2016).

As per the opinion of UNO Secretary General (2018) our world is suffering from a bad case of Trust Deficit Disorder. People are feeling troubled and insecure. Trust is at a breaking point. Within countries, people are losing faith in political establishments, polarization is on the rise and populism is on the march. Among countries, cooperation is less certain and more difficult.  The divisions in our Security Council are stark. The world is more connected, yet societies are becoming more fragmented. Challenges are growing outward, while many people are turning inward. Multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most (https://www.un.org). The intensity of some of the Natural disasters (cyclones, floods) increased due to climate change and the Manmade disasters (climate change, nuclear wars) are threatening the human society. If this trend continues further, the planet earth may not be a suitable place for humans. So, the cure for these ailments is necessary by implementing  practical solutions.

The Global Challenges required pragmatic solutions for all the Challenges; both natural and manmade and that are disturbing the peaceful and harmonious co-existence of mankind.

The Socially responsible world communities like Scientists, Technologists, Administrators, Social Service Organizations, Business communities, Academicians, Philosophers had given some solutions for the issues of climate change, nuclear wars, poverty, population explosion, hunger, illiteracy challenges. Administration, the worldwide created several mechanisms to address the issues, attend on the calamities and also to mitigate the up-surging dimensions of the global challenges. The world has created, developed and established the required level of human resources to generate solutions for various challenges from time to time, but the success is partial. 

Even a great strategy may fail to realize its designated objectives if the approach to implementation is erratic and not resolute. Few Individuals, that are politically powerful, economically stable, socially influencing, financially strong decide the implementation of each and every solution. The implementation of even unanimous resolutions depends on the acceptance of the rulers and executives of various countries.  The attitude of the ruler/executives has ultimately decided the implementation part of the solution. Their attitude also causes for the manmade global challenges.  Hence, it is felt the human attitude as the biggest Global challenge before mankind.

Global Challenges

The Global Challenges are of two types 1) Natural Challenges and 2) Manmade challenges.

1. Natural challenges (Disasters) 

Some of the Natural Challenges are as follows;

• Earthquakes
• Landslides
• Cyclones
• Floods
• Volcanic Eruptions
• Tsunamis
• Heat Wave

     And such other.

The solution for the natural disasters is - prediction of the disaster, prepare to face it systematically and to extend the maximum possible help to the victims. All these steps involved money. Instead of donating something for the welfare of the victims, some of the officials and non- officials eating away the sanctioned/donated amounts. This attitude shall be changed/make to change.

2.  Manmade Challenges

Some of the Manmade Challenges are;

• Human Attitude 
• Climate Change
• Nuclear Wars
• Pandemics
• Poverty and Hunger
• Terrorism and  Bioterrorism
• Population
• Artificial Intelligence
• Technological Development
• Food Adulteration
• Pollution
• Water crisis
• Corruption
• Value deterioration

           And many more such.

The manmade global challenges are the result of human attitude. Every issue is scaling up to a disastrous dimension crippling the whole of mankind. Ex. Climate change, Nuclear weapons, Terrorism, etc. The value crisis has become a global phenomenon breeding unhealthy competition between individuals, countries and continents. The majority of the global population is adversely affected by the self-centered motives of the powerful minority of individuals, who rose to a higher pedestal of life in the economy, finance, power, politics and the societal strata. Greed for money and power, being Selfish, Egoistic, Negligence, Supremacy and such other attitudes trigger the disasters.  If we are able to modify this attitude, alter the mindset, re- engineer the attitudes, the solutions that are already generated and envisaged to prevent or control certain disasters can be implemented and the rulers can assure a happy, healthy and peaceful society for their respective people.

Modification of Human Attitude

The author proposed a model, which is indicative of addressing the issues at the level of roots as a proactive measure and not just as a reactive measure. Global Intellectual competence collectively is competent enough to identify the ‘Cause' that triggered the ‘Effect'. The Model suggested by the author broadly addressed the Manmade challenges (Figure 2). Even though there are specific causes for each of the global challenges, the common cause of all the challenges is the human attitude.  It is a complicated task to modify the human attitude, as the personality varies with the person. So, the author made an attempt to give a solution by taking common aspects of human life.

Fig. 2 Manmade Global Challenges- Solution for the Modification of Human Behavior

The solution was proposed under three steps. The first step is aimed to create awareness about the Science of human beings- by explaining the Facts about human beings, Which controls human beings, Cause and Effect, How to understand the nature and Influence of Negative attitudes. 

The second step enlightens the relation between Human Emotions and Health. It can be done by using Mental health, Value deterioration, Brain waves, Emotions, Positive emotions, Negative emotions, Emotions and heart rate, Hormones and Neurotransmitters.

The third step teaches various life skills, for example, Life Driving, Know yourself, Value of Life, Life Goal, Time value, Body value, Problem solving and decision making and Spiritual intelligence.

The author hopes that the content given under these three steps drives a person towards positive thinking. It is also aimed at a transformation of every individual, particularly the powerful minority of individuals, who rose to a higher pedestal of life in the economy, finance, power, politics and the societal strata and have tremendous influence to alter the course of governance locally, nationally and even internationally.

Reference

Gelsdorf K., Global Challenges and their Impact on International Humanitarian Action, OCHA Occasional Policy Briefing Series – No. 1, January 2010, p. 4,https://docs.unocha.org/ sites/dms/ Documents/ Global_Challenges_Policy_Brief_  Jan10.pdf.

Karaduman İbrahim Can (2014) Global Challenges for the world  obronność. zeszyty naukowe 2(10) issn 2299-2316. ,  rebecca m. henderson, sophus a reinert, polina dekhtyar and amram migdal (2018) climate change in 2018: implications for business. Harvard Business School, 9-317-032.

Sankara Pitchaiah Podila (2018) Why Humans are need to lead good life?, International journal of recent scientific research, vol. 9, issue, 9(D), pp. 28925-28931.

Sankara Pitchaiah Podila (2019)  Human Attitude- A Biggest Global Challenge, International Journal of Current Advanced Research.  V.8. Issue 2. PP 17284-17-89.

Taneri Pervin Oya, Gao Jie and Johnson Rodger (2016) reasons for the deterioration of moral values: cross-cultural comparative analysis, the 2016 west east institute international academic conference proceedings Boston, Usa, pp.242-252

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2018-09-25/secretary-generals-address-general-assembly-delivered-trilingual.