EXISTENTIALISM, as a doctrine, champions the respect for individualism in the pursuit of peace, honour and justice. In the contemporary world, amidst pervasive chaos, individuals are justified in questioning the UN’s efficacy. Despite its lofty charter and claims of promoting global harmony, the UN has repeatedly faltered in resolving crises, often attributed to institutional lethargy and ineffectiveness. This failure has left global civil society aggrieved, with peace-loving people lamenting the UN’s perceived helplessness. Despite persistent appeals from pacifists and humanists, the UN has struggled to uphold its sacred mandate and international standing, exacerbating turmoil and disillusionment across regions.
Egocentricity is a curse that breeds paranoia, hatred and division. It fosters political polarization, xenophobia and pessimism, leading to chaos and anarchy. Humanists advocate for optimism, unity, and perseverance to counter these challenges. They reject isolationism, aiming to restore hope and confidence in global civil society. Humanism, as a philosophy, offers a beacon of altruism and egalitarianism, promoting solidarity and renewal in times of despair. By embracing humanistic intellectualism, a renaissance can flourish, uniting people worldwide in pursuit of peace and collective well-being.
Therefore, humanists worldwide should unite for a future focused on peace and tranquility. Their success will be the triumph pacifists crave. Advocates of mystic philosophy will support their campaign for objectivity. Eventually, even the UN will recognize their role as a force for democratic reform. Their intellectual parallelism will attract global intellectuals. Why should world-weariness allow replicating the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for entertainment? The humanist peace campaign must counter the urge for collective suicide.
Humanism, the anguished and concerned philosophy of intellectuals, will continue to criticize indifferent leaders whose passivity endangers global civil society. Humanists cannot condone this neglect; they cannot be silent observers. They must mobilize their supporters into action. Humanists see beyond political borders; they view global civil society as a single family. In medieval times, emperors’ egotism led to wars; ultimately, dialogue brought reconciliation. Today, despite political polarization and hostility, pacifist leaders facilitate peace and understanding among warring factions.
I felt thrilled when the honorable US President proposed the Gaza peace plan, later approved by the UN Security Council. It was President Biden’s thoughtful humanism that led him to assert US democracy’s leadership. His innate humanism could guide him to befriend President Putin in a joint campaign for global peace. Let pacifism guide their efforts, both temporal and metaphysical. I wish them success. Global humanists honor the architects of the UN Charter, believing it sacred and healing. Despite flaws, the UN remains a credible global governing body, crucial for crisis intervention and protecting women and children. My mystic beliefs align with humanism, which values compassion, justice, and objectivity—essential qualities for activism. I empathize because humanism is a panacea for many ills.
A humanist’s nonconformity and eclecticism safeguard their pursuit of objectivity, rationalism, pragmatism and empiricism. People find inspiration in their teachings on peace, fraternity, intellectual exchange, tolerance and compassion. Thus, humanistic dialogue promotes peace, reconciliation, and communal harmony, proving more potent than weapons of mass destruction. Let every peace-loving person embrace humanism.
—The writer is a humanist based in Srinagar, IIoJ&K.
