Duty-Conscious Individuals Form A Better Society

DUTY-CONSCIOUS INDIVIDUALS FORM A BETTER SOCIETY This approach to social change is a realistic one. It is based on reality. All changes result from one’s will, and the human will is found in the individual, not society. What is of utmost importance in this regard is to address and awaken the will, and this can be done only in and by an individual. The will can be awakened within an individual, not society. This individual-centric approach is the only realistic approach to social transformation. Trying to address and reform society as a whole instead of the individuals who comprise it is not a realistic approach. The natural fact is that it is not ‘the system’ or ‘society’ but, rather, individuals who play all the various social roles, and so, it is individuals who must change if we want society as a whole to change. Since individuals are the building blocks of society, if one wants to bring about any real change in society, one will have to begin one’s efforts at the level of the individual. One will have to bring about a change in the thinking and conduct of individuals on positive lines. This point is directly relevant to relations between religious communities. Harmonious relations between religious communities can only arise so that individual members relate harmoniously. This requires a transformation of the consciousness of individual members of the various communities to value people of other faiths, appreciate the goodness in their religions, cultures, and ways of life, and be committed to living in harmony with them.