Unintended human-personal self-destruction: can we save ourselves?

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explain the modern unintended human-personal self-destruction and the importance of diverse society-specific holistic cultures (“native cultures”) and social value systems as the remedy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a viewpoint, as both the explanation and the proposed remedy are based on the present author’s historical, theoretical and normative considerations.

Findings

First, the author’s interpretation of pre-modern to modern Western societies reveals that some important pre-modern Western values are given to the modern era as part of the market value system. Second, some Mercantilist ideas have strong influences on Classical economic theory and methodology. Third, the modern Western value system – the market value system – corresponds to the Core Synergism of Modern Civilization or the complex driving force of Modern Civilization.

Social implications

This paper is designed to facilitate reflection on the excessive emphasis on economic/market values.

Originality/value

The present author’s normative framework for social value system (“integral harmony”) is used for explaining a likely remedy of the unintended human-personal self-destruction. Also, for solving the human-personal predicament, this article integrates native culture, balance and harmony into economic thinking to promote sustainable development for a viable human future. Concluding remarks provide a summary for clarification of the remedy.

Citation

Hiwaki, K. (2019), "Unintended human-personal self-destruction: can we save ourselves?", Kybernetes, Vol. 48 No. 2, pp. 298-317. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-01-2018-0047