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Inna Birich - PhD,
Professor of Moscow Institute of Open Education, Russia

HUMAN QUALITIES

Inna Birich

Since Italian scientist and philosopher Aurelio Peccei, founder and the first president of international and very authoritative Roman club of the scientists, who told about presence of global problems of mankind, he has published the book called «Human qualities», more than 33 years has passed. He wrote for the western readers, for the western scientists and politicians. He wrote about consumer society costs in relation to social order for certain human qualities which active development can lead planet to global crisis. Not so much economic – but more humanitarian and ecological. And what? His sad forecast is carried out before our eyes, now the world is involved in it. It turns out that the diagnosis of Peccei about stagnation of human essence in second half of the 20 century and its requirement to public to slow down this process haven't been heard or … this requirement basically isn't realized? If we consider human as biosocial, one-dimensional being – then yes, it can be realized!
We offer other approach to understanding of human nature which, maybe, will help us to find input point in consciousness. Existence of the human possessing consciousness is the proof of the fact that the Universe evolution has come to new qualitative level on which the former mechanism of natural selection and struggle for survival as its major principle is replaced by principle of convergence. Its sense is that it promotes association of small systems in larger for the sake of realization of more general and global problem – attribute soul to all live substances of our planet. Not only human is adapted for the Universe. The Universe is adapted for the human. It is the main sense of anthropological principle. According to it the factor giving life to human, underlies the mechanism and plan of the world’s evolution. Such understanding of evolution has deduced V. Vernadsky on concept of "noosphere" – sphere of mind as a new geological epoch in development of our planet. Mind, in Vernadsky's understanding, is a sphere of ideal purposes and valuable orientations which are on guard of evolution. It means that if we recognize orderliness of Life we are obliged to recognize and purposefulness of its development by the way of complication and structural perfection. Perfection is a purpose for all vital processes.
Anthropological principle is not only fundamental; it also proved by development of modern science. From its positions, life in Universe is defined by concrete set of constants that makes existence the world that has different levels possible, submitting to uniform laws, including planet and human. Number of domestic scientists, mathematicians, physicists, philosophers, investigating universal nature of these fundamental constants, come to a conclusion that they have not physical, but information character and are perceived by human both at mental level (mathematician), and at intuitive, spiritual level.
Any attempts to explain phenomenon of human activity only by his biological and social requirements of survival of the individual lead to distortion of true motives of its purposeful behavior. The original sense of human activity has spiritual and completely not average socially-role or medical character. Only through understanding of humans as spiritual beings the true mechanism of its self-realization can be opened.
Only human is simultaneously an object and the subject of Life, has both material, and the spiritual nature. Only he is capable not only to live, but also to realize life, including transition of its one form in others, and also to look for limits of possibilities, to create new forms of Life, to develop, imitating nature and adaptation to its creativity, to perfection of spiritual measurement.
All it means that, probably, it is time to reconsider concept “human gene” because its maintenance should be much wider, than its biological interpretation. Comprehension of universal laws of being as life laws gives the rational grounds for the assumption that such purpose of evolution in quality of "the spiritual filter” should be put in genome at level of hereditary and acquired information selection mechanism. Not casually nature in anthropogenic beginning has taken care of new form of life - human –a being walking on two limbs- could execute the major role on the Earth.
To preserve integrity of such a difficult form of life, system in human’s ability to integrate different types of information about external and private world, to their synthesis at level consciousness (or souls - in religious model of the description of the world) develops. Latin "sin-tez" in Russian literally means consciousness, in all variants of these concepts the principle of knowledge compatibility is underlined, its generalizing and simultaneously organizing character inducing to certain action.
At different stages of human formation (both in phylogenesis, and in ontogenesis) different parties of synthesis, integration of various types of information at consciousness level prevail. But one is immutable: the constant tendency to expansion of consciousness and simultaneously to its deepening, to attribute soul. Epoch by epoch this tendency is shown more strongly and more brightly. However it is necessary to remember that the stimulus, source, human’s purpose of development lies in him, and belongs to more powerful system which element he is. Yes, of course, human forms the consciousness, raises soul on all extent of the terrestrial existence, and at the same time he participates in other creation which infinitely surpasses prospects of his personal activity and at the same time directs him, intertwining closely, - in formation of life, universe.
We are attached to the universal approach; adhere to the concept of triple structure of the world in the logician of a single whole, allocating three levels of reality: matter (substance), energy (influences) and the information (“bank of senses” or the absolute values connected with the purposes of evolution). These three levels extend on human nature. Still the ancient have expressed similar understanding of human in capacious formula-microcosm. It has the same triple structure, and already two thousand years ago it was known to mankind as trinity of body, soul (consciousness) and spirit. As three levels of reality live in uniform Life so integrity and trinity of human, supported by certain level of consciousness is his life condition. This correlation can be presented like " Russian dolls" model.
Smallest "Russian dolls" symbolizes existence of human as biosocial being (person) in the dense level, limited "from below" by three-dimensional space, connected with astronomical time, always concrete, geographically and socially caused. Considering the given "Russian dolls", in human we see standards of living (biological, emotional, rational), quite similar to the higher kinds of mammals, having social organization, but different from them only by quantity.
Understanding this, we have big temptation to carry human as the form of live matter to kind of animals. All is very similar. This form we name the person. Nature of the emotions, which essence is expressed in reaction to conformity of received information about requirements satisfaction possibility (diversified), identical both for animals and person; mind (1st form of reflection – logic, consistent) analyzes them according to a type «is pleasant - it is not pleasant» (judges), starts energy of action, forms conditioned reflexes (habits) with a view of adaptation to surrounding social environment. Dealing with such person, psychology investigates his "matter", even then, when studies his cognitive level. Here is shown trinity of human in his elementary forms as interaction of emotions, mind and social role (mask – from Greek "person", persons – from word "larva", that is "germ"). Is it possible to live all life, being inside of only this one "Russian dolls"? It is possible. But only this "one-dimensional" life doesn't answer anthropogenic problems in context principle. Not only doesn't answer, but such one-dimensional person create global problems as Peccei wrote.
Human as a specific form of life in universe is over socio-biological substratum. First "Russian dolls" is supplemented with the second: it is 2 level of reflection – consciousness, or "soul". Already in consciousness human is free from space-time restrictions and consequently it is much "more", than body-person. The consciousness lives in space of thoughts, having quantum nature, easily overcoming restrictions of matter and terrestrial speeds. J. Lotman has named this space semi sphere of cultural languages, universal and uniform for people’s inherently, but different in expressive form. Mind (the developed mind), intelligence, imagination reign here. "Grows", improves consciousness ("soul") of person and consequently the number of the "Russian dolls" symbolizing levels of consciousness, can be few.
If human consciousness is integration of different types of universe information and about himself, his reduction to the general denominator-sense it means that consciousness (in process of opening) reflects purposes and evolution laws, - and in this case is secondary. But when, having found this sense (it can be both partial, and erroneous), person starts to operate in society then consciousness defines and forms empirical life. It means that all of us deal with two levels of being-life: ontological, universal, universal and consequently metaphysical - Being from "capital letter" - and material, empirical, social - being from “the small letter”. Person’s consciousness mediates between them.
At the level of the second "Russian dolls" abilities put in genotype to create actualize in human. If for the first "Russian dolls" - «bodies of the person» - are fundamental requirements, to the second – «creation bodies» - universal abilities: understanding of life demands the embodiment, realization at the level of social life. So there are preconditions for occurrence of absolutely special form of existence of the person – cultures, creation of artificial environment or «the second nature». Human race development (phylogenesis) was accompanied sociocultural genesis, passed in it. Culture formation in history, change of its forms testifies first of all perfection of consciousness of its creators. Here the second level trinity is realized: integrity of feeling, reason, will. In research of consciousness, reason, cultural activity of the person the philosophy, later - the humanities initially was engaged.
Here again with all evidence there is necessity to add «Russian dolls model» the third part of human nature – «spirit body» in which the third level of reflection – spiritual intuition is shown, super consciousness, the administrative beginning of person’s purposes. The more creative, humane purposes are the more universal and difficultly they are realized. But they also induce human to improve system of abilities constantly. As ancients told, “wish only that is unattainable!” (Lao-Tszy). Achievement of momentary purposes, material requirements, only creates illusion of life and doesn't promote development of intrinsic forces of the person.
There is an idea about existence of general "bank of senses” or the general “base model”, synchronizing processes in the Universe. At spiritual level human percepts time in absolutely different way, he differently sees interrelation of the future, the present and the past in Life. For his consciousness time is open and directed from infinity towards to us. It is obvious that "today" is the moment of transition of "tomorrow" in "yesterday", that is the future in the past (synergetic principle when "future" delays "present") easy and to understand that the reason of our today's behavior lies not in the past as it is correct for living conditions of first "Russian dolls", and in the future. Choosing (self-actualization) the purpose of actual development in the future which always anyhow lies in ideal sphere, or spirituality sphere, the person thereby determines the present.
The further in eternity, the human’s purpose leaves in ideal (perfect), and the freer he is in the present. In this context freedom of the person should be understood as his internal clearing of total time dependence. No, not loss from historical time, but independence and experience of “here and now” from positions of eternity (by the way V.I. Vernadsky understood nature of time according to doctrine about biosphere). It gives forces and possibility to overcome present and to trace contours of future life. It is impossible to change the past. But human corrects the future constantly, building “tree of the purposes”.
In the spirit human thinks in universal scales, he gets to space of spiritual senses of Life and becomes conductor of evolutionary purposes, seizes forces (energy) of creative transformation of matter. Spiritual trinity of human is expressed through synthesis of conscience, wisdom, creative purposefulness. Not without reason in all cultures of the world always was considered as the basic sin (or harm) infringement or change by the person of the status as spiritual beings in favor of self-affirmation of as beings partial, selfish, limited to biological (animals) or narrow interests of groups.
The more difficult and thin the human organization is, the more important for him is to be able not only to self-control, but also to enter into resonance with the general evolutionary purpose of development. It is also the main moment of human self-realization, having for him imperative - absolute - character which is not demanding special rational substantiation for necessity of achievement of resonance with the world around and is included into natural essence of the person.
In the given context resonance search between the levels of Life duplicated in integrated trinity of human, becomes pressing need both evolutionary process, and human. To distinguish true resonance (or coincidence of the concrete reason of the phenomenon to its evolutionary purpose) from usual power excitation (physiological requirement) nature has presented to human (and only to him!) the most reliable criterion of estimation and recognition of this coincidence - spiritual feeling of harmony. It can't be expressed rationally, it can be only felt. This feeling is spontaneous and inspired. Physiologically human feels harmony as raised pacification (not to confuse with satisfaction!), - and it is really so. The pacification is subjectively endured by human’s disinterested feeling, but it is extremely necessary for him as a spiritual beings. Harmony experience always deduces person on new qualitative level of residing of the life.
We approach the time of when along with the people, the person who is switching on not only in national generality, but also planetary, and taking responsibility for realization of ideals expensive to it particularly on itself, in own life should leave class, group on arena of public life. But it is already the person with perfect other level of consciousness, instead of simply member of social group.
Let's try to outline human qualities of such person.
• The highest level of the consciousness including ability to create of objective picture of the world, and comprehension of personal participation in its transformation, ability to introspect and self-estimation.
• Criterion of estimation of the world around and in him for the person with new consciousness is the aesthetic ideal as integrated image of the person in his unity with the nature, directed to moral perfection.
• Aggravated perception of rupture between ideal, validity and aspiration to their rapprochement in life. From here the pain for imperfection of this world, keenness to all new, progressive that arises in society, responsibility for its development and simultaneously for destiny of the planet, demanding courage and effort of will.
• Such relation to life is always connected with active vital position and creative productive activity of the person in the course of realization by him his representations about perfection that is with transformation of the validity and him in it according to objective tendencies of the world’s evolution.

These lines unite in one integrity connection of human to rhythms and energy of inner world, to values of space level.
It would be desirable to pay attention to one surprising coincidence. Three powerful Russian thinkers – N. Fedorov, N. Berdjaev and K. Venttsel – independently from each other and, approximately, in at the same time (the beginning of the 20 century) develop new space anthropology, basing it on acquisition and development by the person of feeling of freedom. Transition from adolescence in youth and maturity both on mankind level of development and on level of development of the person is connected with this feeling interfaced to call of duty and responsibility ("I can’t make it in another way!"), surplus of creative gift and love to the world and people. Freedom – not anarchy and inspiration when you overcome and you do that isn't provided by your terrestrial nature.
And now a few words about a mistake of modern philosophers, including Peccei, concerning their hope of conscientiousness education of biosocial human being. "The one-dimensional" person can't endure and realize harmony of the world – he has nothing to synthesize in itself and has nothing to realize conformity of external and private world. Primary in complete human nature this ability was put. When the person mourns, he is upset, loses system, harmony of the person’s trinity, soul and spirit. It loses semantic installation of life, its ontological purpose (in a Greek way "sin" is "miss").
Russian philosophers who were appearing in emigration and engaged in the organization of education for children of Russian diaspora in Europe cared of preservation and restoration of integrity of the human being – V.V. Zenkovsky and S.I. Gessen. At the heart of pedagogics lie views of Giessen, his representations in the field of philosophical anthropology. He considered that human life proceeds simultaneously in 4 plans of Life, and the highest level of human life accumulates on the lowest, makes out it, without breaking, however, its internal device. According to these plans education also should represent difficult process: simultaneously biological, social, cultural and spiritually-fertile.
Mainstreams in the pedagogics, dominating by then, S.I.Gessen classified thus: "naturalism" reduced all process of education to the first layer – guardianship and training* "socialism" - to the second layer, i.e. satisfaction of requirements of social group, "humanism" – to the third layer, i.e. to cultural education. S.I.Gessen has formulated the educational purposes differently. It not only familiarizing of the pupil with cultural values including scientific achievements of mankind, but simultaneously and formation of highly moral, free and responsible person that is really can occur only in support on his ability to experience world’s harmony, touch to the plan of Fertile life.
Creative potential of mankind was expressed in creation of spiritual culture (philosophy, religion, morals, art, science) which from depth of centuries has saved and has brought to us force of influence of the spiritual purposes, draught of the person for perfection and consequently it has timeless character. Thus, we can draw very important conclusion for us: the spiritual culture is the major intermediary between evolution of the world and creative display of the person on the Earth.
The negative variant of deformation of universal abilities of the person has found the forms of embodiment - in creation of the mass culture understood by us as culture, objective pseudo-values (from the point of view of evolution problems). Here it is necessary to search for the reason of transition of modern culture on stage of postmodernist designs in which the person as difficult and multilevel being was lost absolutely. To find it again, interdisciplinary researches of the person in which the aesthetics and cultural science possesses the leading part are necessary.
Evolution of the Universe and space want the person to overcome his incompleteness as terrestrial beings, awake in him space essence, find spiritual completeness and ability to be conductor of the spiritual purposes (energies) on the Earth, increase these abilities and enter into resonance, synergy with its rhythms. (Remember evangelical parable of the earthed talent (!), but not increased)

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