Baumann “Thirst for Peace”

by | Jan 27, 2017

“(…) All stages and phases of human history have one common denominator: they are characterised by inclusiveness of the other on the one hand and their exclusion on the other hand. These also define categories of identification. “Us” being a measure of mutual hostility. The meaning of ‘we/us’ can be seen in opposition to ‘they/them’. […]
“(…) All stages and phases of human history have one common denominator: they are characterised by inclusiveness of the other on the one hand and their exclusion on the other hand. These also define categories of identification.

“Us” being a measure of mutual hostility. The meaning of ‘we/us’ can be seen in opposition to ‘they/them’. People needed each other to feel connected and to identify themselves as belonging to a group or place. This form of self-identification differentiating oneself from the other persists throughout human history resulting in much bloodshed. Related to our own identity is our perception or concept of humanity.

The next inevitable stage in history, is one in which we now find ourselves, confronted by the call to expand our own notion of humanity.

I believe that we are required by this call to make a new step, one which consists in abolishing the pronoun ‘they’ from our vocabulary. Up until now our predecessors had something in common – an enemy. Now, facing concept of a global humanity, where do we locate the enemy?

We are surrounded by a global reality in which anything that happens, even in the most remote corner of our planet, impacts one way or another on us and on our future prospects. We all depend on each other, and in this, there is no going back (…).”

 

Zygmunt Bauman, sociologist and philosopher, opening assembly of the international meeting “Thirst for Peace”, Assisi (Italy), 18th September 2016

 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Subscribe to Newsletter


RELATED ARTICLES

Oaks of Righteousness
Oaks of Righteousness

Lawyers rooted in Christ, planted across Europe – this was the title of an international conference, ‘Oaks of Righteousness. Lawyers Rooted in Christ, Planted Across Europe’, held from 24 to 27 September 2026 in Horn, near Vienna, Austria

Glasgow: reconciliation and hope
Glasgow: reconciliation and hope

On 12 September 2026, the Focolare community in Glasgow, Scotland, enjoyed a special afternoon thanks to the presence of Thomas Römer, an Evangelical pastor of the Lutheran Church in Bavaria, a member of the YMCA and one of the founders of Together for Europe.

Metz: Europe for Peace
Metz: Europe for Peace

On 28 September, Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech in Metz in memory of Robert Schuman. A delegation from the Strasbourg-based National Committee ‘Together for Europe’ was present in person: it was a moving and inspiring experience.