Professor Kaufman
WR 201
18 December 2013
Oneness in Humanity The culture of contest is rooted in the belief that human beings are habitually selfish and aggressive. Dr. Michael Karlberg in his TED Talk, “Beyond the Culture of Contest”, expresses the myths about human nature that lead to injustice in the world. He also goes on to make clear how to move past the culture of contest towards a culture of cooperation. The assumptions that human beings are typically aggressive and selfish, the belief that productivity is best promoted through self-interested competition, and the idea that competition is the force behind evolution are three myths that prevent individuals from recognizing a more cooperative and universalistic view. The realization of oneness can be achieved through structured organizational structures and institutions, but also constructive models of communities that promote cooperation and interdependence. Human beings should move away from the culture of contest and learn to rely more on cooperation and mutualism to create an oneness of humanity. What assumption about human nature prevent individuals from recognizing a more cooperative and universalistic view? “Human relationships are based on assumptions about people, what they are like and what their nature is”, there for making it normal for individuals from cooperating and having a universalistic view (Jones 1). The culture of contest and the culture of competition are believed to perpetuate social disparities and as a result it can create continuing a series of conflict and crisis. However science has shown that humans are wired for competition and cooperation, therefore making that belief a myth. The culture of contest actually helps grow the human competition and individualistic potential, and in fact causes our cooperation and selfless potential to deteriorate. Another myth or assumption that perpetuates the culture of contest is the myth that productivity, creativity, and
Cited: Jones, John E. ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF HUMANITY. San Diego: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 1988. PDF. Schultz, Ron. "From Competition to Collaboration: Toward a New Frame Work for Entrepeneurship." Creating Good Work: The World 's Leading Social Entrepreneurs Show How to Build a Healthy Economy. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. 110. Print.