🌸 ikigai 生き甲斐 is a reason for being, your purpose in life - from the Japanese iki 生き meaning life and gai 甲斐 meaning worth 🌸
In our increasingly interconnected global society, defining "what the world needs" has become more complex than ever before.
The concept of "the right side of history" is often invoked in discussions of ethics, progress, and social justice. But what does that mean in a world where cultural values clash, political ideologies diverge, and the very notion of universal truth is questioned?
This essay explores the intersection of ikigai and the quest for a universal ethical standard.
How do we train AI to be ethical if we can't agree on what that means?
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I commented to a friend the other day how awful JK Rowling was acting. I’d seen on the cesspit that is X, that she’d bought a T-shirt saying TERF is the new punk.
My friend surprised me by defending her position, they like an argument mind, saying “she thinks she’s doing the right thing to protect women”.
I’m not sure I buy that now, perhaps it was her original driver and it was people jumping down her throat that caused her to get so entrenched. I am fascinated by people’s beliefs and how they came to them, why people don’t change when confronted with empirical data.
Does everyone else just like a good argument regardless of the truth and I’m the weirdo for not? Is it better to be right than kind afterall?
Not everyone spends hours researching what trying to be a better human actually means. I know I can come across as a little judgey, I’m working on it I promise *grin*
I have many passionate opinions, they aren’t technically loosely held but I am 100% willing to change when I learn new facts. Especially when I hear someone’s lived experience rather than a theoretical position. Actual vulnerable women (Cis or Trans) are most often hurt by Cis men, that’s just a fact. I don’t need to know the specific numbers to instinctively deep down understand that the risk of being hurt by anyone Trans in a single sex space, is so minuscule as to be laughable to waste time worrying about.
So yeah, transphobia, I understand people being scared or confused by something they have no experience or knowledge of. I’ve often felt overwhelmed by new things and appreciate non shouty guides to help me navigate and learn.
I don’t understand people in a position of power stirring something up that demonstrably ends up with more people being harmed. I do believe you have more of a responsibility when people look up to you, and especially when you have a public platform, to not cause harm.
As my Nana used to say, if you don’t have anything nice to say then keep quiet.
I think the best position to take on ANY topic at all, is the one that is the kindest and does the least amount of harm.
Of course I deeply care about women’s safety. I’m a woman, I often don’t feel safe. We live in a patriarchal society designed by and for cis men. I know what it means to feel unsafe so I have huge empathy for anyone else feeling that way. It’s a constant for a lot of trans people and it breaks my heart.
I don’t get the vitriol or the doubling down. Why does it matter to you so much if it doesn’t affect you? Live and let live yeah?
From Personal Experience to Global Ethics
I’d thought the world was getting kinder and more equitable, not fast enough, but I thought it was only heading in one direction. So when I see a growing tide of stuff like this, it makes me question my understanding of ethics, progress, and social responsibility;
How do we navigate complex ethical landscapes in an increasingly polarised world?
What responsibility do influential figures have in shaping public opinion and ethical standards?
Is there such a thing as a universally "right side of history”?
How do we, as a global society, determine what is right and just?
Is it even possible to establish universal ethical standards that respect diverse cultural perspectives while upholding fundamental human rights?
With rapid advances in AI, understanding how to approach ethics on a global scale is critical.
The Concept of a Universal "Right Side of History"
This struggle is not new. Throughout history, humanity has sought to define what is universally "right" or "ethical." From the development of religious moral codes to the establishment of international human rights declarations, we have continuously attempted to create frameworks that guide collective behaviour and progress.
In recent years, the concept of being on the "right side of history" has gained prominence in public discourse. It's often invoked in debates about social justice, environmental protection, and technological advancement. But what does it truly mean to be on the right side of history in a world where cultural values clash, political ideologies diverge, and the very notion of universal truth is questioned?
Historical Context
The notion of a universally "right" historical trajectory has its roots in the aftermath of World War II. The horrors of the Holocaust and the devastating impact of nuclear weapons propelled the international community to establish global standards for human rights and peaceful cooperation.
In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document proclaiming inalienable rights to which all human beings are entitled. This laid the groundwork for numerous international treaties and national laws, a common standard for all peoples and nations.
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" (Article 1)
More recently, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have provided a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation.
These goals represent a collective vision of progress, defining what the WORLD NEEDS on a grand scale.
Challenges to a Universal Ethical Standard
Recent years have seen a resurgence of nationalistic and right-wing politics in various countries. This trend often prioritises individual and national interest over global welfare, challenging the notion of a universally agreed-upon "right side of history".
The tension between individual or national interests and global welfare is at the heart of many contemporary political debates. For instance, policies addressing climate change often face resistance due to perceived economic costs, even as the global scientific community warns of dire consequences for inaction.
The philosophical stance of cultural relativism argues that moral and ethical truths are relative to specific cultures or societies, making it difficult to establish a single, globally accepted set of values.
Philosophical Perspectives on Ethics and Progress
Stoicism
Stoic philosophy, with its emphasis on virtue ethics, offers one approach to navigating complex ethical waters. Applying Stoic principles to any debate, we might ask: How can we respond to this issue with wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice? Encouraging us to seek understanding, stand up for what we believe is right, moderate our reactions, and treat all individuals fairly.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism proposes that the most ethical choice is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This philosophy aligns well with global initiatives like the SDGs, which aim to improve life for as many people as possible. It challenges us to consider the net impact of our decisions on overall societal well-being.
However, utilitarianism faces challenges in defining and measuring "good". Is economic prosperity more important than environmental sustainability? How do we weigh short-term benefits against long-term consequences? These questions complicate the application of utilitarian principles on a global scale.
AI and Shaping Ethical Standards
The ethical training of AI presents a challenge in the quest for a universal position. Currently, AI systems reflect the biases and values of their creators and the data they are trained on. This can perpetuate existing inequalities and injustices if we aren’t careful.
Challenges in Programming Ethics into AI
The development of AI systems requires clear, consistent ethical guidelines. However, the task of codifying ethics into AI reveals the complexities and ambiguities in our own ethical reasoning.
How do we program machines to make ethical decisions when humans often disagree on what constitutes ethical behaviour?
Anthropic's Approach to AI Ethics
Anthropic, an AI research company, has taken an interesting approach to this challenge. Rather than programming Claude to adopt a single set of views or to have no views at all, they aim to create AI systems that are honest about their perspectives while maintaining open-mindedness and curiosity.
From : https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-character ;
“Rather than training models to adopt whatever views they encounter, strongly adopting a single set of views, or pretending to have no views or leanings, we can instead train models to be honest about whatever views they lean towards after training, even if the person they are speaking with disagrees with them.
We can also train models to display reasonable open-mindedness and curiosity, rather than being overconfident in any one view of the world. We tried to give Claude traits that would help it walk the line between underconfidence and overconfidence on deeply held beliefs or questions of value, and to display a genuine curiosity about the views and values of the people it’s talking with"
This acknowledges the complexity of ethical reasoning and the importance of ongoing dialogue. The "right side of history" not as a fixed destination, but a continuous process of ethical inquiry and refinement.
Potential Impact of AI on Global Ethical Standards
As AI systems become more sophisticated, they are likely to serve as powerful tools for ethical reasoning and decision-making. By processing vast amounts of data and considering multiple perspectives, AI could help identify ethical principles that have the broadest global applicability.
A data-driven approach could help inform more nuanced and effective ethical guidelines.
However, the influence of AI on global ethics also carries risks. Biases in data or algorithms could perpetuate or exacerbate existing inequalities.
Ikigai and the Search for Universal Truth
The quest for the "right side of history" closely aligns with the ikigai component of "what the world needs." By engaging with global ethical standards and wrestling with complex moral questions, we can better understand how our personal purpose intersects with societal needs.
Reflecting on my own experience, my stance is not really about being "right," but about aligning my actions with what I believe the world needs; more compassion, inclusivity, and respect for human dignity. This alignment is a key aspect for me of finding ikigai.
Considering how our individual actions and choices contribute to or detract from global welfare.
This perspective encourages the development of global citizenship, a sense of belonging to the broader world community. It challenges us to expand our circle of empathy and consideration beyond our immediate surroundings to encompass global concern.
An important lesson from exploring the "right side of history" is the value of embracing complexity and uncertainty. The search for universal truth or a single "right" historical trajectory often leads to oversimplification or dogmatism.
Reminding ourselves of ikigai’s harmony & sustainability pillar in this context, might inspire us to cultivate open mindedness, continuous learning and adaptability. Being willing to revise our understanding of what the world needs as we gain new information and perspectives.
In the context of trans rights or any complex social issue, this might involve;
1. Actively seeking out diverse perspectives, including those we disagree with
2. Remaining open to new scientific findings and lived experiences that challenge our existing beliefs
3. Recognising that ethical progress often involves nuanced, context-dependent solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches
Conclusion: Journey Towards Ethical Harmony
The quest for a universal "right side of history" reveals the aspirations and the challenges of establishing global ethical standards. While initiatives like the UDHR and the SDGs provide valuable frameworks, the diversity of human cultures and experiences can complicate their universal application.
Ultimately, the "right side of history" is not a fixed destination, but an ongoing journey of ethical reflection and action. Our ikigai can also evolve as our understanding of global needs deepens and our capacity for positive impact grows.
I remain optimistic that we move towards a future that, if not universally "right," is at least more just, sustainable, and fulfilling for all.
Sarah, seeking ikigai xxx
PS: How do you define the "right side of history"? What are your thoughts on how we can navigate towards an agreed ethical harmony and training AI to do the same?