Posts Tagged ‘peace’
The lesson of Esau and Jacob
12
Jul
There is a book by brazilian writer Machado
de Assis about two brothers, also called Esau and Jacob, one of whom was a monarchist and the other a republican, and who made their mother suffer because of the dispute between the two, the story narrated by Machado de Assis’s alter-ego, Counselor Aires, it deals with the struggle of the twin brothers Pedro and Paulo, in endless conflicts and reconciliations from their mother’s womb until the beginning of adulthood, and also their love for the young Flora Batista.
In the biblical narrative Esau is older and it also says that Jacob is born moments later according to the biblical interpretation “clinging to his sister’s heel”, by a strategy of deceiving his father (he dresses in furs because his brother had more hair) and despite the father Isaac recognizing the voice ends up deceived and blesses the son, in Jewish tradition the eldest is the patriarch who must follow the father in charge of the Hebrew people.
But Jacob will spend many years running from his brother Esau for having usurped him and when he goes to meet his brother he fights “a whole night with an angel” who, at the end of the fight, wounds him in the nerve of the thigh and he starts to limp after that, but at the end of the fight he gets what he wanted to “be blessed” despite what he had done (Genesis 32:26).
After the fight, the name Jacob will be renamed to Israel by the angel, which means the one who fought with God and the place of the fight that exists is called Penuel, near the ford of Jabbok (passage where the river is shallow), one of the tributaries of the river Jordan (photo).
The figure of Jacob has no historical proof, but the twelve tribes that are born from his descent, the famous twelve tribes of Israel, whose best known and cited in history and biblical narrative are to the north: Asser, Naphtali and Eastern Manasseh, in the center Manasseh, Dah, Zebulon and Ephraim, to the south: Judah, Reuben and Moab (from the desert), of the children of Israel still have Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), Benjamin and Levi, who were priests did not have territorial inheritance.
They formed a United Kingdom with different tasks, the official historiography registers it as the United Kingdom of Israel and Judah, since the descendants of David will come from the tribe of Judah, and registers it as in the period of 930 BC. to 730 B.C. when it was conquered by the Neo-Assyrians under King Shalmaneser V, who levied heavy taxes on the Israelites.
The lesson of Esau and Jacob can be read both for the current world polarization, and for “brother” peoples who fight for pieces of land and power.
Seeing far and blinding near
11
Jul
Recently James Webb’s special observatory
saw the most distant galaxy that man can ever observe, the galaxy called JADES-GS-Z13-0 (photo) is approximately 320 million years from the Big Bang, which for us is a great measure, for a universe of 13.5 billion years old means relatively a few seconds after the Big Bang (one of the theories of the formation of the universe).
On the other hand, we are witnessing an increasingly unstable, unfair, ruthless and dangerous world, and with a catastrophic nuclear danger close at hand, it seems that a good part of humanity treats everything as if it were normality, not caring much about the fate of the planet. and the civilizing process that is not stagnant, but regressing in frightening steps.
The strangeness of this discovery of the universe is at the same time that we find amounts of Carbon and Oxygen in these bodies, the same James Web discovered a little later that six more galaxies (Jades was discovered with another three “near”), which were very massive where bodies smaller than those found there were expected at the beginning of the Universe.
The discovery showed that they have masses of approximately 100 million solar masses, while the normal would be for younger galaxies smaller masses, our Milky Way for example “older” has a mass of 1.5 trillion solar masses.
Furthermore it is a nursery of stars, about three suns are born there every year, and their masses are poor in metals of chemical substances heavier than helium and hydrogen (remember that they are at the top of the chemical periodic table on the left and right ).
If this restores humility to the knowledge we have of the universe, the same does not happen with social scientists, anthropologists and paleontologists, who the more they discover about our origin on the planet, for example that Neanderthals and homo sapiens coexisted and even crossed paths creating a diverse humanity, little tolerant we are with races and cultures.
And intolerance means less peace, more dangers and now we don’t have stones, axes and bows, we have nuclear weapons and dangerous atomic power plants that are subject not only to human limits, but also to natural and geological ones.
The geosphere and biosphere depend today as never before in the history of the noosphere and on what we cultivate as a civilizing culture and as a vision of other cultures and races.
The dangerous limits of war
10
Jul
After a bombing killed civilians in the Lyiv region,
in the early hours of yesterday a plane bombing hit a school building that was used for humanitarian aid in the Zaporizhya region of Ukraine, killing 4 people and injuring 13 others since the beginning of the war. Russia denies having civilian targets, but the massacre in the Bucha region will go down in history (the current city of Mariupol in the photo).
On the other hand, the United States should offer cluster bombs, which mutilate and kill in the region where they are used, making a purely military analysis that the advances of the Ukrainian counteroffensive would happen more quickly.
In Spain, which will hold elections on the 23rd, defense minister Margarida Robles is against sending this type of ammunition, while Germany is against Ukraine’s entry into NATO, since in times of war a country cannot adhere to the treaty. .
The British Prime Minister followed the Spanish position, but told reporters that “we will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against the illegal invasion”.
Former President and Prime Minister of Russia Dimitri Medvedev has again referred to “nuclear armageddon” due to American support for war and position on illegal bombs.
The controversy with the Russian mercenary group Wagner continues, and the sending of new Russian troops in the order of hundreds of thousands to the front indicated that the group’s complaint that the generals omit the death toll is probably correct, and the number of War casualties may be higher than reported.
Certainly the number of deaths will continue and the nuclear danger is increasingly entering the world’s reports, judgment and balance are expected in the midst of a difficult situation in world history.
Mercenaries, Intense Combat and the Threat of Peace
03
Jul
The war in Eastern Europe remains a center of 
concern for world peace, after some advances by the Ukrainian army, Russia again advanced in the east in combat described as “fierce” and slow advances by the Ukrainians in the south, but there are threats around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia that still worry.
The debates around the Wagner group, their real objectives and the dangers for both the Russians and the West follow, since their methods and interests are ruthless and cruel, and thinking that they could have access to the nuclear arsenal makes the fact even more dangerous. .
The pope sends a bishop for talks with the Russian Orthodox Church, which can also be a mediator, since it has access to Putin and the religious dialogue between the churches can favor a future peace agreement.
The involvement of NATO and its European allies grows with each new step in the war, and now Russian Chancellor Lavrov has gone on to say that Zelensky is a puppet, which intensifies the confrontation with Europe and raises the level of tension.
Until the beginning of the European autumn (spring here in the south of the hemisphere) the war should remain intense, but with little advances from side to side, the problem with autumn there and the proximity of winter is that it becomes more strategic due to the climate, the dependency on energy and a growing difficulty in moving on the ground, until then a peace strategy is important.
The world is waiting for some truce, but the scenario is increasingly complex, since the West, through NATO, is increasingly involved in the conflict, while Russian contempt and cruelty towards Ukraine grows with each combat since the loss of life intensifies the climate of animosity and the economic situation deteriorates.
The world and people of common sense are waiting for peace, for a negotiated solution and the resumption of peaceful life in the region, which would also improve the human condition in the world.
Internal Tension in Russia and Peace
26
Jun
On Saturday (24/06) there was an uprising of troops allied with the
mercenary group Wagner, of Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of restaurants and catering companies in Russia, called “Putin’s Chef”, but he himself would like to be called a butcher for his cruelty of your troops.
Departing from the strategic military city of Rostov on-Don in the south of Russia and close to the Black Sea, therefore close to the coast where Russia invaded the territory of Ukraine, after the capture of the Russian military base, the group walked towards Moscow and on In a few hours I was only 200 km away from Moscow, which had already taken steps with barricades and there was even an explosion in oil tanks, in Voronezh, near Moscow (photo).
The shooting down of at least 6 aircraft and a helicopter was also recorded, however the entry into Moscow would not be peaceful and other bases would come to fight the rebel group, Putin considered it a “stab in the back” and initially condemned Prigozhin and his allies by ordering them to be captured and even gave a statement on state television.
With the intervention of the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko a negotiation was made, the terms of which are not clear, but which exempted Prigozhin and his allies from any blame and political asylum was offered in Belarus, and the troops retreated to avoid “a bloodbath” and by Saturday night the rebellion had already retreated from the bases of Rostov on-Don.
A Russian presidential plane was seen heading north, but local information is that Putin would not be on board, there were several analyzes and conspiracy theories, but the shooting down of aircraft and exile and agreement with Prigozhin demonstrate Putin’s internal fragility.
It is good to think that an eventual seizure of power by Prigozhin is more dangerous than the war waged by Putin, since he would have a huge nuclear war arsenal in his hands.
In the midst of a counter-offensive by Ukraine all this means more war and distances peace.
There is a lack of sincere pacifists who are not allies of dictators and cruel mercenaries, but we have hope that it will come if hearts and minds are disarmed
Phenomenology and the other
20
Jun
The Other is not a contemporary category, however how it is realized
from the Husserlian phenomenology is something entirely new, not by chance Heidegger, Husserl’s student and disciple thought ipseity thought the rooting of otherness in “ipseity” itself (Selbstheit) (which differentiates one being from another, refusing to think the “self” (Selbst) according to the categories of substance and “identity” (Identität), thus his ontology of the Other is entirely new (within philosophy) .
If we want to deal with identity, a category proper to a period of individualism and alleged finite totalities, we can say that in a more current modern anthropology, the “theory” of identity must be seen as giving the Other the “similar” aspect as a “human being”. ”, but defined as “diverse” and “unequal” in the set of interethnic, intercultural or interreligious relations.
It is this contact between different cultures, religions and even ideological identity positions, that the civilizational process is at stake, there is no lack of “influencers” and groups that encourage one type of culture in repulsion to another, treating the unequal and the different as “enemy ” and this does not even mean that they do not exist, in a war for example, but the negation of the Other.
There is no lack of philosophers who have dealt with the subject, we highlight Husserl’s phenomenology and its influences: Heidegger, Edith Stein, I highlight Paul Ricoeur (The self as an other) and Emmanuel Lévinas (Ethics and infinity) and Hans-Georg Gadamer (Truth and Method).
But also Habermas (The philosophical discourse of Modernity and The inclusion of the Other) and Byung-Chul Han (The expulsion of the other: Society, perception and communication today) which are very good for analyzing communication and society today, but without a clear view of Being as Being as in Heideger’s ontology.
Recognizing the Other as having dignity and deserving respect, even if in positions different from ours, is the remedy for today’s lack of empathy.
Hope for Peace and Tactical Weapons
19
Jun
In the midst of international attempts to broker the war in Ukraine, several
African countries led by South Africa through its president, visited Ukraine and Russia at the end of last week, the results are not hopeful, but each attempt at peace is a new impetus and international public opinion for a negotiated and diplomatic peace is growing.
In addition to the president of South Africa Ramaphosa, there were also the presidents of Senegal Macky Sall, of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema and of Camores Azali Assoumani, in addition to high Congolese, Ugandan and Egyptian representatives.
In Ukraine, in addition to conversations with President Zelensky, they visited the cemetery where hundreds of civilians from the city of Bucha are, one of the biggest massacres promoted by the Russian invasion, and there they deposited flowers.
At the end of the week, they visited Putin and heard the traditional rhetoric that Russia had no other way out for its security, and that the negotiation must include the territories conquered in the war.
The main concern of African countries is the delivery of grains from both Ukraine and Russia and that an international crisis can affect food security, especially in the poorest countries, which includes Africa.
Russia has sent “tactical” weapons to Belarus, its traditional ally in this war, stating that the objective is not to use them, but has the “tactical” objective of defending the borders including that of its Ally.
Sending fighter jets and tanks to war is one more fuel for Ukraine, and has already changed the nuclear scenario, countries that opted for disarmament and “green” policies abandon this perspective, an example is Germany, which increased for the first time since the second world war, its military budget.
But the internal propaganda of the State, which dominates practically all means of communication, is that with nuclear weapons Russia is stronger and will be able to use them if necessary.
The conflict has already crossed all borders, there are few countries that have not positioned themselves, however, the formation of a bloc that wants peace is fundamental for a mediated exit.
Where to solve the civilizational crisis
16
Jun
During this week we developed the idea that amid so many shadows,
still light and salt to give meaning and life to the civilizing process, it is possible to overcome the anger of war and the hatred of differences of opinion if we introduce new elements of healthy living into society.
From NGOs and volunteers who work in war camps, to people who work with determination and self-control in an increasingly difficult and intolerant daily life.
There is no general rule, it is necessary to accelerate the diplomatic process for understanding and overcoming war, it is necessary to advance a process of educating an integral man who knows how to deal with different factors of social life, including ethnic, political and religious differences.
The growth of the egocentric circle due to ideologies and bubbles of closed circles, they reinforce individualistic and group thinking, can be changed by widening the circles of coexistence and allowing and giving belonging to excluded groups and people.
But above all, it is necessary to strengthen the healthy tissue, the little light and little salt that, even if it is little, can make a difference and change environments, groups and even entire nations, restoring their self-esteem at the same time as developing tolerance with other peoples.
The tragic scenario that is being designed may have its course altered, but it is first necessary to save that healthy tissue where respect, tolerance and social peace still breathe.
The most peaceful and responsible religions and social groups, the lack of control attached to the ego is childlike as Freud developed, it can give way to mature relationships between people, groups and peoples.
In the biblical passage in which Jesus notes that the crowds were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 1:15) he not only encourages the disciples to help them, but also reminds them that first: “6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel!” and say that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” and it will not come by the hand of powerful and narcissistic people, but by the life and word of these followers of yours
Cholera and phobia, results of civilizing malaise
15
Jun
It may seem sugary or even childish, Freud says the opposite, that we
adopt more reflective and tolerant attitudes in the face of difficulties.
The Greeks knew that without self-control men could surrender to two paralyzing poles: deimos and phobos (terror and fear).
Adam Smith, whose thinking influenced modern economics including Marx, also wrote The Theory of Moral Sentiments, that self-mastery is fundamental in the face of a terrifying situation, and sets out two modes of self-mastery.
He theorizes that “acting in accordance with the dictates of prudence, justice and appropriate beneficence, seems to have little merit if there is no temptation to act otherwise”.
We should be educated to the ability to undertake self-control in the face of pathós (affections of the soul) where we must highlight our greatest virtues, or we will succumb to vexatious processes and hateful vices, and, incredible as it may seem, it already dominates most social media, reaching to the highest courts in the country.
According to the author, the second group of passions over which we should exercise self-control, lead to the context of “the love of peace, pleasure, applause and many other selfish satisfactions”.
So if we compare those of the first with those of the second group, it might seem easier to master them, as these inclinations allow us some minimal time for reflection; at least, more than when we are attacked by fear and anger (first group), however we experience the context of immediate reactions or paralysis, without realizing that these extremes touch each other.
If we give in to all impulses, if we give little time or space to reflection, silence and even the cultivation of interiority, what we express is almost always lacking in empathy, and at the opposite extreme, anger and barbarism remain.
Emotional intelligence has developed methods that suggest how to control your emotions and help you more easily recognize when it improves your relationships and empathy.
Smith, Adam. The Theory of Moral Semtiments, first Ed. 1759.
Promote good and peace
14
Jun
The convictions and theories that lead men both to the civilizing process
and to its opposite, barbarism, stem from inner motivations and they had different contexts at different times in history, following Freud’s reflection in his analysis of the “malaise” says:
“We see that this feeling of the I that the adult has cannot have been the same from the beginning. It must have gone through an evolution that understandably cannot be demonstrated, but we can construct with a certain degree of probability” (FREUD, 2010, P. 12).
But before carrying out a historical analysis, he starts from intrauterine life, what Peter Sloterdijck also sees as a primordial sphere, he still does not separate the Ego from the outside world, but learns to do it little by little, “in response to different stimuli” , but part of an interior.
Freud points out: “This is how an “object” is initially opposed to the I, as something that is found “outside” and only through a particular action is forced to appear. Another incentive for the ego to detach itself from the mass of sensations, for it to recognize an “outside”, an external world, is given by the frequent, varied, inevitable sensations of pain and displeasure that, in their unlimited duration, the pleasure principle seeks to eliminate and avoid”. (FREUD, 2010, os. 12-13).
This will explain his isolation and self-centeredness, but if he does not advance into adulthood and does not know how to live with contradictions and contempt, he will remain in this “childish” circle, in the bubble where everything seems to revolve around him and made for his pleasure.
And he continues: “The borders of this primitive Pleasure-I cannot escape rectification through experience” (p. 13), otherwise the tendency to isolate oneself will arise and this is the difficulty of promoting good and social peace, which it includes the other, society and peoples.
Thus, those who promote peace, well-being and social dialogue are more adult, more mature, and those who promote war, hatred and intolerance are more childish.
The fact that, from family upbringing to adulthood, difficulties are not imposed and people are taught to live with them, with contempt and losses, has created a vicious and self-centered circle of bubbles, where peoples and cultures cannot coexist without war and without tolerance.
The fact that, from family upbringing to adulthood, difficulties are not imposed and people are taught to live with them, with contempt and losses, has created a vicious and self-centered circle of bubbles, where peoples and cultures cannot coexist without war and without tolerance.
There continue to be institutions, NGOs and people that promote dialogue, peace and are clearly opposed to war, lack of freedom of expression, dictatorships and autocratic cultures.
Happy those who promote peace, those who promote social well-being and cultivate the empathy.
FREUD, S. O mal estar na civilização (1930). In: FREUD, Sigmund. in: O mal estar da civilização, leituras introdutórias e outros textos (1930-1936). Obras Completas. volume 18. Trand. Paulo César de Souza. Brazil, São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2010.
