Antipodean Bahá’í Studies

34th ABS Annual Conference
Hyatt Regency Vancouver, August 12-15 2010, Vancouver, BC
Theme Statement and Call for Presentations
Rethinking Human Nature

How can Bahá’í scholarship contribute to the emergence of a new consensus regarding human nature? How we see social reality depends largely on our assumptions, but much contemporary discourse implicitly or explicitly assumes that human nature is self-interested and competitive and that human relations are necessarily conflict-based. In economics, political science, sociology, education, law, international relations, and even religious studies, theories have been built upon these assumptions. Consequently, social institutions, media representations, the arts, and popular culture largely reflect and reinforce them.

Despite this prevailing world view, new understandings of human nature are emerging at the margins of many academic disciplines. These acknowledge the human potential not only for egoism but also for altruism, not only for competition but also for cooperation. Such emerging scientific understandings are further supported by the world’s great religious systems, which offer spiritual and social practices designed to cultivate our altruistic and cooperative potential. Yet these scientific and religious insights continue to be eclipsed by an entrenched model of human nature based on egoism and conflict.

Mindful of the complementary insights of both science and religion and in collaboration with like-minded individuals, Bahá’ís can draw upon both the Bahá’í writings and emerging knowledge in various disciplines to articulate and advance new models of human nature. The experiences of the Bahá’í community and others can be investigated to lend support and insight to these efforts. The annual ABS conference is one venue where scholarship and ongoing collaborative efforts can be fostered.
You are invited to explore these and related questions at the 34th Annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies – North America, to be held in Vancouver, B.C., August 12-15, 2010.

Appendix
…Indeed, so much have aggression and conflict come to characterize our social, economic and religious systems, that many have succumbed to the view that such behaviour is intrinsic to human nature and therefore ineradicable.

With the entrenchment of this view, a paralyzing contradiction has developed in human affairs. On the one hand, people of all nations proclaim not only their readiness but their longing for peace and harmony, for an end to the harrowing apprehensions tormenting their daily lives. On the other, uncritical assent is given to the proposition that human beings are incorrigibly selfish and aggressive and thus incapable of erecting a social system at once progressive and peaceful, dynamic and harmonious, a system giving free play to individual creativity and initiative but based on co-operation and reciprocity.

As the need for peace becomes more urgent, this fundamental contradiction, which hinders its realization, demands a reassessment of the assumptions upon which the commonly held view of mankind’s historical predicament is based. Dispassionately examined, the evidence reveals that such conduct, far from expressing man’s true self, represents a distortion of the human spirit. Satisfaction on this point will enable all people to set in motion constructive social forces which, because they are consistent with human nature, will encourage harmony and co-operation instead of war and conflict. - The Universal House of Justice, The Promise of World Peace (1985).

Throughout history—and despite theologically or ideologically inspired assurances to the contrary—power has been largely interpreted as advantage enjoyed by persons or groups. Often, indeed, it has been expressed simply in terms of means to be used against others. This interpretation of power has become an inherent feature of the culture of division and conflict that has characterized the human race during the past several millennia, regardless of the social, religious, or political orientations that have enjoyed ascendancy in given ages, in given parts of the world. In general, power has been an attribute of individuals, factions, peoples, classes, and nations. It has been an attribute especially associated with men rather than women. Its chief effect has been to confer on its beneficiaries the ability to acquire, to surpass, to dominate, to resist, to win.

…In its traditional, competitive expression, power is as irrelevant to the needs of humanity’s future as would be the technologies of railway locomotion to the task of lifting space satellites into orbits around the earth.
The analogy is more than a little apt. The human race is being urged by the requirements of its own maturation to free itself from its inherited understanding and use of power. That it can do so is demonstrated by the fact that, although dominated by the traditional conception, humanity has always been able to conceive of power in other forms critical to its hopes. History provides ample evidence that, however intermittently and ineptly, people of every background, throughout the ages, have tapped a wide range of creative resources within themselves. - Bahá’í International Community, The Prosperity of Humankind (1995)

Call for Presentations
Proposals are invited for presentations on (but not limited to) the above themes, as well as themes pertaining to creative processes and concepts within the performing arts, visual arts, and other modes of artistic expression.
Presentations must explore an original question or proposition through a clearly described method or approach.  Proposals must outline the presentation in detail and provide sufficient background on the topic and on the presenter’s qualifications for the review panel to judge the value of the contribution. A broad range of qualifications is recognized, beyond purely academic and/or professional.  Proposals must be for substantially original work, unpublished and not previously presented.

While many presentations are in the style of talks, the use of the arts and other diverse approaches is also encouraged. Presentations should be seen as a collaborative process, where the speaker engages conference participants in discussion on new work, which further advances that work. Papers will be considered for publication in The Journal of Bahá’í Studies. Proposals are especially welcome from youth and first-time ABS presenters. Guidelines for submissions are available on the ABS website, and you can also contact the ABS if you would like further assistance with preparing a proposal.
Proposals must be submitted on-line (go to Presentation Form). Potential presenters unable to submit on-line may contact the address below for further information on alternate means of submission.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 1 April 2010.

Association for Bahá’í Studies
34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, ON Canada K1N 7K4
Tel.: (613) 233-1903; fax: (613) 233-3644
or email ABS