“Humanity has been transformed into killing automatons.” This was briefly posited by E. F. Schumacher when he identified the current situation and perspective on human development. Human development, in all its undertakings, is measured through profit-maximization and technological advancement at the expense of culture, human-ness and environment. Many, particularly “experts” from the developed countries and from underdeveloped countries educated through western education, celebrates the alleviation of the “problem of production”.
Only through the complete exhaustion of natural resources efficiency is maximized and only through the abuse of human workforce can effectiveness be worth celebrating. However, profit maximization and technological advancement only wiped away humanity and capiturism (the greed-driven capitalism and consumerism spiraling out of control) has transformed every individual into greedy, discontented automatons; the catastrophic human desolation and destruction.
Table of Contents
I. PUMP-PRIMING HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
II. DES GASPER’S TIP-OF-THE-ICEBERG EVALUATION
III. FREEDOM AND DEVELOPMENT: THE DUTY OF THE DUTY-BEARERS AND THE RIGHTS OF THE RIGHTS-HOLDERS
Objectives and Topics
This paper provides an ethical analysis of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), examining how contemporary human development models often prioritize profit and technological advancement over fundamental human values, and proposes a shift towards a more holistic, ethic-based approach to poverty reduction and human agency.
- Critique of profit-maximization in human development frameworks
- Application of Des Gasper’s "Tip-of-the-Iceberg" evaluation model
- Analysis of the interplay between capitalism, social structure, and poverty
- Role of individual human agency and responsibility in development
- Advocacy for a global ethic rooted in cultural and ecological respect
Excerpt from the Book
PUMP-PRIMING HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Humanity has been transformed into killing automatons. This was briefly posited by E. F. Schumacher when he identified the current situation and perspective on human development. Human development, in all its undertakings, is measured through profit-maximization and technological advancement at the expense of culture, human-ness and environment. Many, particularly “experts” from the developed countries and from underdeveloped countries educated through western education, celebrates the alleviation of the “problem of production” [Schumacher (1989[1973])]. Only through the complete exhaustion of natural resources efficiency is maximized and only through the abuse of human workforce can effectiveness be worth celebrating. However, profit maximization and technological advancement only wiped away humanity and capiturism (the greed-driven capitalism and consumerism spiraling out of control) has transformed every individual into greedy, discontented automatons; the catastrophic human desolation and destruction.
Schumacher couldn’t agree more when Vandana Shiva identifies the dissolution of (bio)diversity in all its dimensions – economic, social and cultural, because of the supposition that money necessitates human satisfaction and that technology is a messianic savior from the barbaric lifestyle called simplicity. This is the order that the society has been, for a long while, maintaining. However Hans Küng, in the Declaration of a Global Ethic, has recognized that this order has only nurtured all the socio-economic stifles particularly poverty, job insecurity, gender disparity, political paralysis, morbidity, etc.
Summary of Chapters
I. PUMP-PRIMING HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: This chapter critiques the current model of human development, arguing that it prioritizes economic profit and technological progress at the cost of human and environmental well-being. It introduces the perspectives of Schumacher, Shiva, and Küng to advocate for a collective effort grounded in binding moral values.
II. DES GASPER’S TIP-OF-THE-ICEBERG EVALUATION: This chapter utilizes Des Gasper’s evaluation framework to analyze the MDG from three distinct ethical perspectives: Mainstream Western Economism, Humanism, and Radical Christianism. It highlights how these views differ regarding their understanding of people, society, and key judgment values.
III. FREEDOM AND DEVELOPMENT: THE DUTY OF THE DUTY-BEARERS AND THE RIGHTS OF THE RIGHTS-HOLDERS: This chapter discusses the limitations of quantifying human development, arguing that the MDG often ignore the micro-level socio-political roots of poverty. It calls for a redefined approach that emphasizes human agency and treats development as a matter of cultural and environmental richness rather than mere economic transfer.
Keywords
Millennium Development Goals, Human Development, Ethical Analysis, Poverty, Capitalism, Human Agency, Sustainability, Global Ethic, Schumacher, Vandana Shiva, Hans Küng, Des Gasper, Social Structure, Economic Growth, Biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper provides an ethical critique of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), questioning the prevailing focus on economic output and technological growth in favor of a more human-centered, ethical approach.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the critique of consumerist capitalism, the importance of cultural and biological diversity, the role of human agency, and the necessity of ethical standards in global development policy.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to expose the flaws in current "universalizing" development programs and to argue for a framework that addresses the root causes of poverty through collective moral responsibility rather than just economic efficiency.
Which scientific or theoretical methodology is employed?
The work employs a normative ethical analysis, drawing upon the theories of E.F. Schumacher, Vandana Shiva, Hans Küng, and the "Tip-of-the-Iceberg" evaluation framework developed by Des Gasper.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers the systemic transformation of individuals into "automatons" due to profit-maximization, a comparison of three developmental perspectives (Economism, Humanism, Radical Christianism), and a discussion on the duties of stakeholders in human development.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is defined by terms such as Development Ethics, MDG, Human Agency, Social Inequality, and Global Ethic.
How does the author categorize the failure of MDG programs?
The author identifies failures where development is equated solely with infrastructure, where progress comes at the expense of the environment, and where programs are limited to technocratic implementation rather than being responsive to societal needs.
What does the author mean by "agent-caused" poverty?
The author argues that poverty is not just a natural occurrence but a consequence of human intention and societal structures, such as corruption and the deliberate exclusion of marginalized groups to maintain existing power blocs.
How is the "Butterfly Phenomenon" applied to human development?
It is used to illustrate the interrelatedness of all global actions, emphasizing that human development requires a collective effort and a shared recognition of binding values to address global challenges effectively.
What is the proposed alternative to the current development order?
The author proposes an order based on a new global ethic that fosters cultural and environmental richness and treats every human being with dignity, regardless of their socio-economic status.
- Quote paper
- Maria Victoria Dariano (Author), 2016, Millenium Development Goals. An Ethical Analysis for a Constant Search for Freedom, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338292
