Nayef Al-Rodhan: Quotes about nature

“Human nature as we know it is, nevertheless, malleable and manageable. It may be radically modified as a result of advances in bio-, molecular, nano- and computational technologies. It will therefore be essential to establish a clear code of ethics regulating the use of these technologies sooner rather than later.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), p.17

Nature

“Neuro-rational Physicalism is premised on the neuro-biological foundation of human nature, which implies that thoughts, perceptions or emotions correspond to a physical reaction in the brain.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Knowledge and Global Order https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/article/knowledge-and-global-order/?fullscreen=true - OpenMind September 2013

Nature

“A lesser-known fact about the geopolitics of resources has escaped public polemics. This refers to rare earth metals or rare-earth elements (REMs), a set of 17 naturally occurring non-toxic materials, which play a pivotal role for emerging technologies and which are predominantly produced and exported from China.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Rare-Earth Metals: Anticipating the New Battle for Resources http://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/20/03/2014/rare-earth-metals-anticipating-new-battle-resources - Global Policy Journal, March 2014

Nature

“Human nature is governed by general self-interest and affected by genetic predisposition, which implies that there are likely to be limits to our moral sensitivities.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), p.15

Nature

“We are neither radically free to choose our nature nor entirely determined by our biological heritage.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), p.65

Nature

“Policies that assume that human nature is a tabula rasa (clean slate) should be reviewed and revised to reflect that man has an in-built genetic code for survival with no evidence for innate morality.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), p.203

Nature

“A set of global values in keeping with human nature and dignity need to be identified and developed.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man (2009), p.29

Nature

“A good governance paradigm that limits excesses of human nature and ensures an atmosphere of happiness and productivity by promoting reason and dignity is required.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man (2009), p.27

Nature , Happiness

“All policies should be packaged with full awareness of the limitation of human nature (amorality, emotionality and egoism) in both the short- and the long-term.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), p.204

Nature

“Further, humanity must never be complacent about the virtues of human nature. Therefore, everything must be done at all levels to prevent alienation, inequality, deprivation, fear, injustice, anarchy and the loss of the rule of law. History has shown repeatedly that humankind is capable of unthinkable brutality and injustice. This is often a result of what I call fear(survival)-induced pre-emptive aggression, which may occur no matter how calm the situation appears, although it is not necessarily inevitable. Moreover, where there is injustice that is perceived as posing a threat to survival, humankind will do whatever necessary to survive and be free. In such instances, might (military or otherwise) may not prevail or be the optimal solution.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

Source: Emotional amoral egoism (2008), pp.16-17

Fear , Law , History , Optimism

“Cultural and ethnic diversity benefit humanity’s future, survival, strength and excellence, promoting what I call cultural vigour, similar to the way in which molecular and genetic diversity promote “hybrid vigor” in nature and thus strength, resilience and a higher potential for a problem-free future.”

Nayef Al-Rodhan

The Geopolitics of Culture: Five Substrates, (2014)

Way , Nature , Problem , Future