Wednesday, December 10, marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Spearheaded by former U.S. first lady and U.N. delegate Eleanor Roosevelt, the UDHR guaranteed the political and civic rights of all people, including the right to freedom from torture, slavery, poverty, homelessness and other forms of oppression. VOA News – Universal Declaration of Human Rights Marks 60th Anniversary
Small good it seems to have done.
Advertisements
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 20:47
I rather agree with the observation: compassion doesn’t herlp us survive. At least, not as rugged individuals. However, as communities it is essential to our survival.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 16:03
What an irony! How sad that our intentions are so good, our performance so wanting. Are we condemned to perpetual acts of cruelty and hatred, I wonder? Is there no way out of this? Well, yes, I guess I know there is: for me it’s to be found in the Buddhist teachings. May they be more widely heard.
Some years ago I came to the conclusion (since borne out by testing) that there are two kinds of people, those for whom compassion comes normally and those who will be “me firsters” for all their lives. It’s up to us to outlive or outbreed them, I guess. However, I’m not sure that overall, among humans, compassion is all that much of a survival value.