INTRODUCTION
In making
judgments, the Early Kings were perfect, because they made moral principles the
starting point of all their undertakings and the root of everything that was
beneficial. This principle, however, is something that persons of mediocre
intellect never grasp. Not grasping it, they lack awareness, and lacking
awareness, they pursue profit. But while they pursue profit, it is absolutely
impossible for them to be certain of attaining it
- Lu Bu-Wei 246bc., chinese prime minister
under emperor Ying Zheng, the annals of Lu Bu-Wei, Lu Shi Chun Qiu
In leadership we see morality magnified, and
that is why the study of ethics is fundamental to everyone's understanding. The
study of ethics is about human relationships. It is about what we
should do and what we should be like as human beings, as members of a group or
society, and in the different roles that we play in life. It is about right and
wrong and good and evil. People often say that leaders should be held
to “a higher moral standard,” but does that make sense? If true, would it then
be acceptable for everyone else to live by lower moral standards? The curious
thing about morality is that if you set the moral standards for leaders too
high, requiring something close to moral perfection, then few people will be
qualified to be leaders or will want to be leaders. For example, how many of us
could live up to the standard of having never lied, said an unkind word, or
reneged on a promise? Ironically, when we set moral standards for leaders too
high, we become even more dissatisfied with our leaders because few are able to
live up to our expectations. We set moral standards for leaders too low, how-
ever, when we reduce them to nothing more than following the law or, worse,
simply not being as unethical as their predecessors. In our view, it is
the duty of every person to be ethical and uphold moral values and norms.
MORALITY TODAY
Morality is an endangered species: Global communications and travel,
cultural upheaval, plus massive changes in life-styles and technology are
increasingly exposing contradictions and practical limitations in traditional
systems. Unable or unwilling to live by hopelessly flawed dogma, we
have all but abandoned systems of morality. Some resort to explicit
amorality, others to a 'pragmatic' approach of 'what one can get away with',
many simply do what feels right - more or less. Hypocritical behavior
by spiritual and political leaders, rampant dishonesty in others, and the
anonymity of urban life further encourage this rejection of traditional ethics.
However, all of these factors cannot hide our desperate need for guiding
principles. Modern life offers additional freedoms that impose
increasingly numerous, difficult and far-reaching choices on our lives. Choices
about relationships, children, education, careers, politics, wealth, health and
even death. We can alter genes, synthesize life and will soon create artificial
intelligence. Our decisions have more profound consequences than ever before -
ultimately effecting mankind's very survival. This trend continues to escalate,
yet 'progress' will not wait for us to sort out our values.
In summary, a rational, personal morality is both a
conscious as well as subconscious aid to defining and achieving our goals and
happiness. A guide to our own flourishing - a guide to how to live
optimally.
The very essence of E.N.V.Y. (Ethics, Norms, Values
& You) Project is to preach morality and build, personally, one in every
individual of the society…be the guide for the people…teach and lead.
What could be more important?
THE E.N.V.Y. PROJECT:
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Virtue depends partly upon training and partly upon
practice; you must learn first, and then strengthen your learning by action. If
this be true, not only do the doctrines of wisdom help us but the precepts
also, which check and banish our emotions by a sort of official decree.
Lucius Annaeus
Seneca 1-65 A.D., Stoa philosopher in "Letters to Lucilius - On the value
of advice" (Epistle XCIV)
The most
basic need for ethics lies in the fact that we do not automatically know what
will benefit our lives, and what will be detrimental. We constantly face choices that
effect the length and quality of our lives. We must choose our values: where
to live, how to spend our time, whom to associate with, whom to believe. We
must choose what to think about, and how to go about achieving our goals.
Which character traits to acquire, and which to eliminate. Which of our
emotional responses are beneficial, and which detrimental. By what criteria to
judge others, and on what basis to interact with them. We must pro-actively think about
these issues and deliberately direct our lives. To the extent that we
default on this, to that extent we are at the mercy of social and emotional
factors that may be far from optimal - a drifting boat, at the mercy of the
currents and winds.
Ethics is
about the choices that we make - or fail to make. We are aware of our conscious
thoughts and of our ability to make informed, intelligent choices - that is
what we call free will. We are aware that the choices that we make have
consequences, both for ourselves and for others. We are aware of the
responsibility that we have for our actions. But, we do not have reliable
inherent knowledge or instincts that will automatically promote our survival
and flourishing. We may have an inherent emotional desire to survive
and avoid pain, but we do not have innate knowledge about how to achieve those
objectives. A rational, non-contradictory ethic can help us make better choices
regarding our lives and well-being. Issues not subject to our choice -
unknown to us or outside of our control - are not moral issues.
THE E.N.V.Y.
PROJECT will be a training ground, a sensitization program, an awareness outfit
to educate, instruct an imbibe the reasons for good ethics, norms and need to
uphold good moral values in our society. It is a personality-building project. Most
moral systems concern themselves primarily with social interactions - what
effect do my actions have on others. This puts the cart before the horse. How
can we hope to judge what is good for others, good for society, before we have
determined what is good for the individual? What is good for me? The answers to
these questions - personal morality - can, and must, form the foundation to
social morality, political and legal systems. Judging the morality of
social norms, public policy and laws can only be done with reference to what is
good for the individual. After all, social morality is supposed to benefit the
individuals who make up a given society. Furthermore, each individual really only
controls his own morality - others can be influenced to think and act
morally, but they cannot ultimately be forced to do so.
THE
E.N.V.Y. PROJECT BREAKDOWN
Good education teaches in the shortest possible way
what one should aim for and what one should try to avoid, and does not show,
after the evil has happened: this has gone wrong, be alert for this from now
on, but it learns you before you act: when you do this, you will disgrace
yourself and disaster will come over you. So let's create this threefold bond:
that education will lead nature and that practice will complete education.
Desiderius Erasmus 1466-1536, Dutch
renaissance scholar, theologian and humanist, in 'De libero arbitrio diatribe',
(1524)
The process of educating man of/about his duties and
responsibilities is not just tasking, but also an intricate situation. It is
practically not an exhaustive topic of discussion and training. The E.N.V.Y.
Project will attempt to provide aid to spread the knowledge of our purpose via
·
A SEMINAR/SYMPOSIUM to discuss and
educate the citizens
·
EXHIBITION SHOW
·
PAGEANTRY EVENT (MISS ENV)
·
FASHION SHOW
·
FUND-RAISER AND DINNER NITE
·
AWARD CEREMONY
These events will be either spaced amongst dates or hosted as
one. Each segment of this project will be judiciously handled, responsibilities
to the success of all, delegated and well managed and supervised.
THE E.N.V.Y. PROJECT SEMINAR
The seminar is the most
vital part of this project. It is where people are gathered for the sole purpose of listening to
speakers with professional credentials and credibility, speak on the reasons to
uphold good, ethics, norms and values. It will be an interactive platform.
Attendees will be charged a little fee to attend these symposiums.
The theme for this year (2013) seminar will be - "MY COUNTRY, MY PRIDE: A critical look at
Akwa Ibom State, the developments and uncommon transformation (its PROS and
CONS; EFFECTS and DEFECTS)"- discussing the effects the new-age
technology, 21st Century, has affected our persons, morals, beliefs, values,
customs, norms and ethics. Has it heightened our moral values or have we
dwindled on both professional and business ethics because of the introduction
of new-age facilities and privileges?
At least 3 (three) speakers will be available on that day.
Provision for light snack and drink will be made too.
