The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid
The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid can be a life-changing event for those who read it. ” This is part of an effort to link good action to an inherent power within us that can be the source of great happiness and prosperity. A part of the whole world’s species, it is, therefore, an idea which must be assimilated in order to be understood.
The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid can be a life-changing event for those who read it. It is an inspiring tale of a boy from Thailand, caught in the throng of a great humanitarian disaster and with no home to go back to, but without hope either. I was inspired by it when I read it for the first time as a teen.
Now in its second edition, it has taken another significant step forward, looking more closely at problems facing the world today, including human rights violations, violence against women, and crime. This makes it a much more complete text. The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid is a valuable guide to the human rights issue today.
The most important concept introduced in the first edition is that aid is “just, justified, benevolent, and wise.” This is part of an effort to link good action to an inherent power within us that can be the source of great happiness and prosperity. In this respect, The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid carries on the tradition of Humanitarian ethics and works in tandem with Iti-Humanism to produce more effective humanitarian action. It introduces four Principles of Voluntary Action and the values and virtues of humaneness, justice, compassion, and wisdom.
I cannot explain adequately the second part of the opening to the book. I have described it here in its simplest form, but for the benefit of those who do not want to read the whole thing, just skim the summary and then come back to it later when you can absorb the important principles of The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid. They are:
“The Virtues of Humanitarian Aid: The principles of voluntary action are common to all human relations…Humanity is a certain sort of thing. A part of the whole world’s species, it is, therefore, an idea which must be assimilated in order to be understood.”
Another principle, called “Humanness, a thing that must be seen and experienced,” is a reminder that we are each a unique part of the entire creation. Thus, we must live our lives as we should, observing and caring for those things that are important to us. We have a choice, and we can choose to be selfish. Or we can choose to live generously.
“Charity, personal expression, humaneness, justice, and wisdom are not meaning to be indifferent to people or things. These moral concepts, if well expressed, express that part of ourselves that is being expressed, which is our best and deepest selves.”
The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid seeks to give what it means to be human, what it means to be worthy of life, to make a difference, and to find happiness. It is not a philosophy or a religion but rather a call to action for humankind. It is the biggest and best book ever written on the principles of human nature and values, which are essential to a happy life.
“We ought to help people in their own interest, not simply because we are doing a good deed or because someone else said so. And we should help people in spite of ourselves, rather than because of our own selfishness.”
The virtues are suggested in the introduction and throughout The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid, and it is further emphasized that one must be wise to help those in need, with compassion for their plight, love for their family, and selflessness as the motivation. A student of comparative religion will find this book illuminating.
The Virtue of Humanitarian Aid remains a powerful call to action and a reminder that it is the best way to be good and noble. I strongly recommend this text to anyone who cares about morality and values, and who wishes to help people at a personal level.
There are various versions of this text available, printed for distribution in schools and other institutions of learning. Some are translated into other languages. The text itself is also widely available, freely distributed over the Internet.
